Complete Guide to English Modal Verbs - English Grammar Lesson

英语情态动词完整指南-英语语法课

Hi, I’m Stephanie.

嗨，我是Stephanie。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about English modal verbs.

在本节课里，您能学习 英语情态动词。

What are modal verbs?

什么是情态动词？

What do they do?

它们做什么？

Why do you need them?

为什么您需要它们？

You’ll see answers to all these questions in this class.

您会在本节课看到所有 问题的答案。

Before we start, you should check out our website: Oxford Online English dot com.

我们开始之前，您要看我们的网页： Oxford Online English dot com.

You can find all our free English lessons.

您能看到我们所有的免费课程。

We also offer online classes with professional teachers, where you can study speaking, prepare

我们也提供有专业老师的在线课程， 您可以学口语、雅思

for IELTS, improve your pronunciation, or whatever else you want!

考试准备、发音改进或是 任何其他您想要的东西！

Let’s get back to our topic with some basic points you should know to use modal verbs

我们回到主题，了解一些正确 使用情态动词的

correctly.

基本要点。

Shall we start?

我们要开始吗？

Yeah, we probably should!

是的，我们有可能要开始！

So, can you tell me something about modal verbs?

那么，您可以告诉我某些与情态动词 有关的事情吗？

Sure.

当然。

What would you like to know?

您想知道什么？

I must know everything about them!

我必须了解与它们有关的 每一件事。

That might take a long time!

那也许要花很长的时间。

You’ll help me, though, right?

不过，您会帮我，对吧？

Of course, even though it may be challenging.

当然，即使那可能有挑战性。

There are nine modal verbs in English.

英语里有九种情态动词。

You just heard a dialogue with nine lines.

您刚刚听到了九行字的对话。

Each line contains one modal verb.

每一行包含有一个情态动词。

Can you name the nine modal verbs in English?

您可以给这九种情态动词 命名吗？

Maybe you know them already, but if not, you can go back and try to find them in the dialogue.

也许您已经知道它们了，但是如果没有， 您可以回头再在对话里找找它们。

The nine modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should and must.

九个情态动词是：can、could、may、 might、will、would、shall、should和must。

What do modal verbs do, and how are they different from other verbs?

情态动词做什么？它们与其他 动词有什么不同？

Also, why are they so important?

同样，它们为什么很重要？

Modal verbs add information to other verbs.

情态动词给其他动词增加信息。

That’s their job.

那是他们的作用。

They can add ideas like possibility, uncertainty, or obligation to another verb.

他们可以增加想法，像是可能性、不确定性、 或对另一个动词的义务。

Grammatically, modal verbs follow their own rules.

语法上，情态动词追随 它们自己的规则。

Let’s see what this means.

我们看看这意思是什么。

Rule number one: a modal verb is followed by an infinitive verb, without ‘to’.

规则一： 一个情态动词后跟一个无 “to”的动词不定式。

For example: ‘She can speak fluent Spanish.’

例如：“She can speak fluent Spanish.”

‘We shouldn’t do anything until we know more.’

“We shouldn’t do anything until we know more.”

‘They won’t be here before ten.’

“They won’t be here before ten.”

You can’t put a noun after a modal verb, or an -ing verb, or anything else, only an

您不能在情态动词后面放一个名词， 或一个-ing动词，或任何其他的，只能

infinitive verb without ‘to’.

是一个无“to”的动词不定式。

Rule number two: modal verbs can’t be used in different times or tenses.

规则二：情态动词不适用于 不同的时间或时态。

Modal verbs don’t have past, perfect or future tenses like regular verbs do.

情态动词不像规则动词那样，它没有 过去式、完成式或将来式。

There are some cases where this isn’t 100% true.

有一些事情不是 100%是事实。

For example, ‘could’ is the past tense of ‘can’ in some cases.

例如：“could”是“can”在一些事例里 的过去时态。

‘Would’ sometimes acts like a past version of ‘will’.

“Would”有时扮演像是 “will“的一个过去时态版本。

However, ‘could’ can also have a present or future meaning.

然而，”could“也可以有一个现在 或将来时态的意思。

It’s better to think about each modal verb individually.

最好是独立地考虑每个情态动词。

Rule number three: modal verbs are *auxiliary* verbs.

规则三：情态动词是*助*动词。

That means you make negatives by adding ‘not’ to the end of the verb.

那是说您在动词的后面加 ”not“来造否定意思。

For example: can, can’t.

例如： can、can’t。

Would, wouldn’t.

Would、 wouldn’t。

Might, might not.

Might、might not。

Negative modal verbs are often contracted, although ‘might not’ and ‘may not’

否定情态动词经常是短写的， 尽管”might not“和”may not“

are usually written fully, without contractions.

常常写完整，没有短写形式。

For ‘will’ and ‘shall’, the spelling changes in the negative: will, won’t; shall,

至于”will“和”shall“，在否定形式时 拼写改变”will、won’t；shall、

shan’t.

shan’t。

To make a question, move the modal verb before the subject.

要造疑问句，移动情态动词 到主语前面。

For example: ‘Should I tell him?’

例如：“Should I tell him?”

‘What would you do?’

“What would you do?”

What about the other question: why are modal verbs important?

那其他的问题呢：为什么情态 动词是重要的？

Modal verbs can express many basic concepts which you will need regularly, in any situation.

情态动词可以表达很多在任何情况下 您定期需要的基本概念。

Modal verbs are used to express obligation, give advice, talk about possibility and probability,

情态动词常用于表达义务、给出建议、 谈论可能性和概率、

ask for permission, and more.

寻求许可，等等。

Next, let’s look at the meanings which modal verbs can express in more detail.

接下来，我们更详细地看看 情态动词可以表达的含义。

Can I ask you something?

我可以问您某些事情吗？

Sure.

当然。

I’m thinking I might ask for a transfer to the Singapore office.

我在想我也许会请求转到 新加坡的办公室。

I’ve always wanted to live abroad, and I think now’s the right time.

我总是想在海外生活， 我觉得现在是时候了。

What do you think?

您觉得呢？

I think if you’ve thought about it, then you should try it.

我认为如果您已经考虑了 这个，那么您要试一试。

Better to regret something you did than something you didn’t do; that’s my view.

后悔自己做过的事比后悔自己没有 做过要好；那是我的观点。

Hmm…

呃…

Will they agree, though?

他们会同意吗？

You don’t know till you ask!

您不问就不知道！

Anyway, I’m sure they’ll agree; you have a good track record here, and if you come

管它呢，我确定他们会同意；您在 这有一个好的追踪记录，

back later you’ll have a lot of valuable experience.

如果您之后回来，您会有大量的 有价值的经验。

So, they should say yes.

那么，他们会同意。

I’m just worried, because I know that Olga asked for a transfer to Canada, and they wouldn’t

我只是担心，因为我知道Olga 请求转到加拿大，他们

let her…

没有让她…

That’s a totally different situation.

那是一个完全不同的情形。

Olga’s a tax specialist; she’s irreplaceable.

Olga是一个税务专家； 她是不可取代的。

I wanted to ask one more thing: will you write a reference for me?

我想再问一件事：您会帮我 写一封引荐信吗？

No problem!

没问题！

I’d be happy to.

我太高兴了。

There’s one more thing you must do before you apply.

在您申请之前还有一件 您必须要做的事。

What’s that?

是什么？

Talk to the Singapore office.

和新加坡办公室谈一下。

I can put you in contact if you need.

如果您想，我可以帮您联系好。

That’s great!

那太棒了。

Thanks so much for helping me out.

非常感谢您的帮助。

You can use modal verbs to express nine fundamental ideas.

您可以用情态动词来表达 九种基本的想法。

Maybe you’re thinking: “That’s nice and easy!

也许您在想：“That’s nice and easy!

There are nine modal verbs, and nine meanings, so each verb must have one meaning, right?”

There are nine modal verbs, and nine meanings, so each verb must have one meaning, right?”

Nope!

休想！

Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that.

不幸的是，它比那些更复杂。

First, the nine meanings are broad.

首先，九个含义是广泛的。

Each contains several smaller ideas.

每一个包含有几个较小的概念。

Secondly, every modal verb can have more than one meaning.

其次，每个情态动词可以 有一个以上的意思。

Anyway, we’ll worry about that later!

管它呢，我们之后再担心那个！

For now, let’s look at the nine fundamental ideas which modal verbs can express.

至于现在，我们看看情态动词 可以表达的9个基本想法。

Asking permission.

请求许可！

Expressing possibility or impossibility, when you think something could be true or not.

在您考虑某事是事实或非事实 时，表达可能性和不可能性。

Giving advice or suggestions.

给出意见或建议。

Expressing certainty or uncertainty, when you’re sure something is true or not.

在您确定某事是事实或非事实 时，表达确定性或不确定性。

Expressing probability, when you think one result is more likely than another

在您想一个结果比另一个结果 更有可能时，表达概率。

Expressing willingness or refusal, for example when someone lets or doesn’t let someone

表达意愿或拒绝，例如 在某人想或不想让

else do something.

某人做某事时。

Making a request or an offer.

提出要求或要约。

Expressing an obligation, when it’s necessary to do something.

在有必要做某事时，表达一个义务。

Expressing ability, when someone has the capacity to do something, or not.

在某人有能力做某事或不能 做某事时，表达能力。

In the dialogue, there’s at least one example of each of these nine basic meanings.

在对话里，九个基本意思中的 每一个至少有一个例子。

Can you find them?

您可以找到他们吗？

If you want a challenge, go back and listen to the dialogue again.

如果您想要一个挑战，回头 并再听一次对话。

Try to find one sentence with a modal verb which expresses each of the nine basic meanings.

尝试找到一个带有表达了九种基本含义中 每一个含义的情态动词的句子。

Let’s look together.

我们一起来看看。

Here are nine sentences from the dialogue.

这里是对话里的九个句子。

The first sentence is asking permission.

第一句是请求许可。

You use ‘can’ to ask ‘Is this OK?’

您使用“can”来问“Is this OK?”

Sentence two is talking about possibility.

第二句是谈论可能性。

You’re saying that something is possible, but not certain.

您在询问某事是可能的， 但不十分确定。

The third sentence is giving advice.

第三句是给出建议。

Number four is expressing certainty.

第四句是表达确定性。

You’re sure that something is true now, or that something will happen in the future.

您现在确信某事是真实的， 或某事会在将来发生。

In case you’re wondering, possibility and certainty are closely related.

如果您想知道，可能性和确定性 是密切相关的。

We’re separating them, but you could also see them as two sides of the same idea.

我们把他们分离开了，但是您也能 作为一个想法的两面来看他们。

However, probability, as in sentence five, is different.

然而，概率，在第五句，是不同的。

Here’s a question: what’s the difference between probability and possibility?

这是一个问题：概率和可能性 之间的区别是什么？

Probability has different levels.

概率有不同的级别。

Something can be 90% probable, or 50% or 20%, or whatever.

某事可以是90%可能，或50%， 或20%或任何比例。

Possibility is binary: either something is possible, or it isn’t.

可能性是二元的：要么某事是 可能的，要么不。

It doesn’t make sense to say that something is 50% possible.

说某事是50%可能的没有意义。

This might sound abstract, but it’s relevant to using modal verbs.

这也许听起来是抽象的，但是它与 使用情态动词有关。

Here, ‘should’ expresses probability.

在这里，“should”表达概率。

The sentence ‘They should say yes’ means that it’s more likely they’ll say ‘yes’

句子“They should say yes”意思是 那更像是他们会说“yes”，

than ‘no’.

而不是“no”。

The sixth sentence expresses refusal.

第六句表达了拒绝。

‘Wouldn’t’ here has a similar meaning to ‘refused to’.

“Wouldn’t”这里有一个类似 “refused to”的意思。

Number seven is a request, when you ask someone to do something for you.

第七句是一个要求，在您要求 某人为您做某事时。

The eighth sentence expresses an obligation.

第八句表达一个义务。

‘Must’ here means that it’s necessary to do something.

“Must”在这里意思有必要做某事。

Finally, the ninth sentence expresses ability.

最后，第九句表达了能力。

So, there’s a lot of information here!

所以，这里有很多信息！

What should you take away?

您应该要带走什么？

Let’s look at two key points.

我们来看看两个要点。

First, not every modal verb was used in these nine sentences.

首先，在这九个句子中，并不是 每个情态动词都被使用。

There’s no ‘could’, no ‘shall’ and no ‘may’.

没有“could”，没有“shall”和没有 “may”。

What does this tell you?

这告诉您什么？

It shows you what we told you before: every modal verb can have more than one meaning.

它向您展示了我们之前告诉您的内容： 每个情态动词可以具有多个含义。

Also, it shows you that every idea, like obligation, certainty, and so on, can be expressed by

此外，它还向您显示，每个概念， 像是义务、确定性等都可以

more than one modal verb.

由多个情态动词表达。

Let’s look at this point in more detail.

我们来更详细地了解这一点。

Can you look at something for me?

您可以帮我看看一些东西吗？

Sure.

当然。

What’s up?

什么事？

It’s my laptop.

那是我的手提电脑。

It’s acting weirdly.

它运行有点奇怪。

I know you’re good with these things, so…

我知道您很擅长这些东西，所以…

What’s the problem exactly?

到底是什么问题呢？

It keeps freezing, and I can’t do anything for a while.

它卡卡的，我暂时不能 做任何事情。

Sometimes it’s just a few seconds, but sometimes it goes on for half an hour.

有时只是几秒钟，但是 有时半个小时。

It’s really annoying!

那真的很烦人！

Older laptops can get like that sometimes.

较旧的手提电脑有时会像这样。

But I only bought it six months ago!

但是我六个月前才买的。

Do you have an antivirus program?

您有一个防病毒程序吗？

Yes, and I do scans regularly.

有，我定期做这个。

It can’t be a virus.

那不可能是一个病毒。

I’m not so good with technology, but I am pretty security conscious.

我在技术方面不擅长，但是 我非常注重安全性。

Hmm…

呃…

That’s probably not the problem, then.

那可能不是问题，那么。

Can I take it for an hour or so?

我可以拿着它一个多小时吗？

I’ll need your login password, too.

我也要您的登录密码。

That way I can take a proper look.

那样我可以适当地看看。

OK, here.

好的，这里。

Thank you so much!

太感谢您了。

In this dialogue, there were five different sentences using the modal verb ‘can’.

在这个对话里，有五个使用情态 动词“can”的不同句子。

Do you remember them?

您记得它们吗？

Here they are.

它们在这。

In each sentence, ‘can’ has a different meaning.

在每个句子里，“can”有一个 不同的意思。

Think about the nine basic meanings of modal verbs, which you saw in section two.

考虑您在第二单元看到的情态动词 的九个基本意思。

Can you explain the meaning of ‘can’ in each of these sentences?

您可以解释“can”在每一个句子 里面的意思吗？

Can you see how they’re different?

您可以看出他们是怎样不同吗？

‘Can you look at something for me?’ is a request.

“Can you look at something for me?” 是一个要求。

‘I can’t do anything for a while’ expresses ability.

“I can’t do anything for a while” 表达了能力。

‘Older laptops can get like that sometimes’ expresses a general possibility.

“Older laptops can get like that sometimes” 表达了一个一般的可能性。

It’s like saying ‘It’s common for older laptops to get like that.’

那像是说“It’s common for older laptops to get like that.”

‘It can’t be a virus’ expresses certainty.

“It can’t be a virus”表达了确定性。

It’s like saying ‘I’m sure it isn’t a virus.’

那像是说“I’m sure it isn’t a virus.”

‘Can I take it for an hour or so?’ is asking permission to do something.

“Can I take it for an hour or so?” 是请求许可做某事。

This is just one modal verb.

这只是一个情态动词。

‘Can’ is an extreme example, because most modal verbs don’t have five different meanings.

“Can”是一个极端的例子，因为大部分 的情态动词没有五种不同的意思。

Actually, ‘can’ has a sixth meaning—it can be used to make an offer, as in ‘Can

实际上“can”有六个意思— 它可以用来提出要约， 就像在“Can

I help you with anything?’

I help you with anything?”一样。

However, every modal verb has at least two different meanings, and most have three or

然而，每个情态动词有至少两个 不同的意思，大部分有

four.

三个或四个。

So, what’s the point here?

那么，这里重点是什么？

Point one: *really* don’t try to understand modal verbs by translating them into your

重点一：*真正地* 不要试着通过翻译 他们成您的语言

language.

来理解情态动词。

Of course, this is true generally, but it’s especially important with modal verbs, because

当然，一般来说，这是对的， 但这对情态动词尤其重要，

they don’t translate cleanly between languages.

因为他们无法在语言 之间清晰地翻译。

If you think that ‘can’ in English translates to one verb in your language, you’ll create

如果您觉得英文的“can”翻译成您的 语言里的一个动词，

problems for yourself.

您会自找麻烦。

Point two: to understand a modal verb in a sentence, you need to understand the context.

第二个重点：要理解在句子里的一个 情态动词，您需要理解上下文。

Again, this is general advice, but again it’s especially important with modal verbs.

同样，这是一般性建议，但 对于情态动词特别重要。

The meaning of a modal verb can be completely different in different contexts.

在不同上下文里的一个情态动词的 意思可以是完全不同的。

Point three: the different meanings of a modal verb are unconnected.

第三个重点：情态动词的不同 意思是不相关的。

Look at two sentences with ‘must’: ‘It must be late—it’s dark outside.’

看两个有“must”的句子：”It must be late—it’s dark outside.“

‘You must read this article.

”You must read this article.

It’s so interesting!’

It’s so interesting!“

What does ‘must’ mean in these two sentences?

在这两句里”must“意思是什么？

In the first sentence, ‘must’ expresses certainty.

在第一句，”must“表达了确定性。

You’re saying ‘I’m sure it’s late, because it’s dark outside.’

您在说”I’m sure it’s late, because it’s dark outside.“

In the second sentence, ‘must’ expresses strong advice.

在第二句，”must“表达了 强烈的意见。

Most English learners will first learn ‘must’ to express obligation, in sentences like ‘Employees

大部分的英语学习者会首先学习”must“ 来表达义务，句子像是”Employees

must keep records of all expenses.’

must keep records of all expenses.“

Often, they’ll think about ‘must’ by translating it into their language.

通常，他们会通过翻译它成 他们的语言来考虑”must“。

Then, when they see the word ‘must’, they think about the verb in their language.

然而，当他们看到单词”must“，他们会 考虑他们语言里的动词。

If you do this, you might think that other meanings of ‘must’ are somehow connected

如果您这样做，您也许认为”msut“ 的其他意思是以某种方式

to the idea of obligation, or whatever you learned first.

与义务的概念或您首先 学到的东西有关。

But, there’s no connection.

但是，那是没有关联的。

It’s just coincidence that you use the word ‘must’ in these three sentences.

您在这三个句子中使用 “must”一词只是一个巧合。

The meaning is completely different in each case.

在每个事例里的意思 是完全不同的。

There’s no connection except that the word is the same.

除了单词是一样 之外，没有联系。

Now, let’s look at one more thing you should know about modal verbs.

现在我们再看一件您要知道的 关于情态动词的事情。

What time are we supposed to be there?

我们应该什么时间到那里？

Ten, I think, but I think we ought to aim to arrive at least fifteen minutes before.

10点。我觉得，但是我觉得我们 应该争取至少提前十五分钟到达。

So, that means we have to leave here at… what?

那么，那意思是我们必须在…离开这里， 什么?

Nine?

9点？

We’d better leave earlier, I think.

我们最好是早点离开，我觉得。

There’s a metro strike tomorrow, so the traffic will be terrible.

明天地铁罢工，那么 交通会是恐怖的。

Are we going to drive, or take a taxi?

我们开车去还是搭出租车？

I’m not sure we’ll be able to find a taxi, so I think driving is best.

我不确定我们会找到一部出租车， 所以我认为开车去最好。

In the dialogue, you heard several examples of semi-modal verbs.

在对话里，您听到半情态 动词的几个例子。

Do you know what these are?

您知道那是什么吗？

Here are the sentences you heard.

这里是那些您听到的句子。

So, what are semi-modal verbs?

那么，半情态动词是什么？

Semi-modals have some of the features of modal verbs, but not all.

半情态动词有一些情态动词的 特点，但不是全部。

Most importantly, semi-modal verbs do the same thing as modal verbs.

最重要的是，半情态动词 担当与情态动词一样的工作。

They add information to other verbs.

他们给其他动词增加信息。

They can express many of the same ideas, like obligation or giving advice.

他们可以表达很多相同的想法， 像是义务或提出建议。

They don’t follow all the grammar rules of regular modal verbs.

他们并不追随规则情态动词 的所有语法规则。

For example, ‘have to’ is a semi-modal, and you can use it in different tenses: it

例如，“have to”是一个半情态动词， 您可以在不同的时态使用它：

has a past tense, ‘had to’; you can use it in the present perfect, ‘I have had to…’

它有一个过去时态，“had to”；您可以在现在 时态用它“I have had to…”

and so on.

类似这样的。

Often, modals and semi-modals can be used with the same meaning.

通常，情态动词和半情态动词 能用于相同的意思。

Look at two sentences: ‘It’ll rain this afternoon.’

看两个句子：“It’ll rain this afternoon.”

‘It’s going to rain this afternoon.’

“It’s going to rain this afternoon.”

Here, you use ‘going to’, which is a semi-modal, to express certainty, in the same way that

这里，您使用“going to”，它是一个 半情态动词，以您能使用“will”

you can use ‘will’.

一样的方式来表达确定性。

It doesn’t matter which verb you use in this case.

在这种情况下，您用哪一个 动词没有关系。

However, in some cases, semi-modal verbs have their own specific meaning.

然而，在一些事例里，半情态动词 有他们自己的特定意思。

For example, ‘supposed to’ is similar to ‘should’, but not the same.

例如，“supposed to”与“should” 相似，但不完全一样。

Look at two sentences: ‘We’re supposed to be there at ten.’

看两个句子：“We’re supposed to be there at ten.”

‘We should be there at ten.’

”We should be there at ten.“

The basic meaning is similar, but not the same.

基本含义是相似的， 但不完全一样。

If you use ‘should’, you’re saying that *you* think this is important.

如果您使用“should”，您在说 *您*认为这是重要的。

If you use ‘supposed to’, you mean that *other people* think that this is important.

如果您使用“supposed to”，您意思是 *其他人*认为这是重要的。

‘We’re supposed to be there at ten’, suggests that someone else has told you to

“We’re supposed to be there at ten”， 意味着其他人告诉您

be there at ten, and maybe it’s not so important to you.

10点会在哪里。也许那对您 来说不重要。

Maybe you’re thinking at this point: how many semi-modal verbs are there?

也许您在考虑这一点： 有多少半情态动词？

Can you give us a list?

您可以给我们一个清单吗？

Not really, because it’s not entirely clear what makes something a semi-modal verb.

不完全是真的，因为尚未完全清楚一个 半情态动词担当的作用。

Many textbooks will say that ‘need’ or ‘dare’ are semi-modals, but they’re

很多课本会说“need”或 “dare”是半情态动词，但是在现代英语里

rarely used in this way in modern English.

很少以这种方式来使用它们。

The most common semi-modals are all in the dialogue at the beginning of this section.

最常见的半情态动词是在本单元开始的 对话里有的全部半情态动词。

If you understand how to use these six semi-modals, you are doing well!

如果您理解了怎样用这六个半情态动词， 您做得很好！

Finally, a question: which modal verb is most difficult for you to understand and use in

最后，有一个问题：对您来说，英语里， 哪一个情态动词是

English?

最难懂和最难用的？

Why do you think that is?

为什么您那么想？

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

请在评论栏分享您的想法！

Thanks for watching!

感谢观看！

See you next time!

下次见。