情态动词一般没有人称和数的变化,不能单独作谓语,需与后面的动词原形一起构成谓语。现就情态动词用法提出两个注意:
一、注意区别几个近义词
1.表示“能够”意义的can与be able to的区别。
在表示能力时,can与be able to的意义差不多,有时两者可换用,但表示“经过努力、设法做成某事”时,要用be able to,不可用can。
如:
You'll be able to read it before long.
2.表示“不能”意义的can't与mustn't的区别。如:
can't表示“不能”,意指没有能力;mustn't表示“不能”,意指“禁止;不允许”。
The baby is asleep. You mustn't make any noise.
The boy is so tired that he can't go any further.
3.表示“必须”的must与have to的区别。
must表示说话人的主观看法;而have to则表示客观需要。mustn't意为“不可以;不允许”;don't have to意为“不必”。如:
My father had to work when he was ten years old.
The play is not interesting. I really must go now.
二、注意几个“不能用”
1.表示推测时,can不能用在肯定句中;may和might不能用在疑问句中。
2.回答must引出的问句时,如果是否定回答,一般不用mustn't,而要用needn't或don't have to。如:
—Must we hand in our exercise books today?
—No, you don't have to.(No, you needn't.)
3.回答表示请求的may引导的问句时,不可用may not,而要用mustn't。如:
—May I use your ruler?
—No,you mustn't.
4.作为情态动词,need一般不能用于肯定句中,仅用于否定句、疑问句和条件状语从句中。在肯定句中,它用作实义动词,有时态、人称和数的变化,后面接带to的不定式。如:
You needn't come so early.
—Need I finish the work today?
—Yes,you must.
He needs to finish it this evening.
5.在回答could引导的表示请求的一般疑问句时,不能用could回答,而要用can。如:
—Could you tell me how to get to the hospital?
—Of course,I can.
6.“may you+动词原形”放在句首,意为“祝愿;但愿”。如:
May you succeed!祝你成功!
May you be happy every single day.祝你天天快乐。