Complete Guide to English Modal Verbs - English Grammar Lesson

英文語法 — 情態助動詞介紹

Hi, I’m Stephanie.

嗨，我是Stephanie。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

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

在本節課裡，您會學習 英文的情態助動詞。

What are modal verbs?

什麼是情態助動詞？

What do they do?

它們的功能是什麼？

Why do you need them?

為什麼您需要它們？

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

您會在本節課裡看到所有 問題的答案。

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

在我們開始之前，您要看看我們的網頁： Oxford Online English dot com.

You can find all our free English lessons.

您能找到我們所有的免費課程。

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

我們也提供有專業資質老師的線上課程， 您可以學習口說、雅思

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

考試準備、發音進階或是 任何其他您想要的東西！

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

我們回到主題，了解一些正確 運用情態助動詞的

correctly.

重點。

Shall we start?

我們要開始嗎？

Yeah, we probably should!

是的，我們有可能要開始了！

So, can you tell me something about modal verbs?

那麼，您可以告訴我某些與情態助動詞 相關的事情嗎？

Sure.

當然。

What would you like to know?

您想知道什麼？

I must know everything about them!

我必須了解與它們有關的 每一件事情。

That might take a long time!

那也許要花很多時間。

You’ll help me, though, right?

不過，您會幫我，對嗎？

Of course, even though it may be challenging.

當然，即使那可能有挑戰性。

There are nine modal verbs in English.

英文裡有九種情態助動詞。

You just heard a dialogue with nine lines.

您剛剛聽到了九行字的對話。

Each line contains one modal verb.

每一行含有一個情態助動詞。

Can you name the nine modal verbs in English?

您可以給這九種情態助動詞 命名嗎？

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

也許您已經知道它們了，但是如果還沒有， 您可以回頭再在對話裡找它們。

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

九個情態助動詞是：can、could、may、 might、will、would、shall、should和must。

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

情態助動詞的功用是什麼？它們與其他的 動詞有什麼不同？

Also, why are they so important?

同樣，它們為什麼很重要？

Modal verbs add information to other verbs.

情態助動詞給其他動詞增加信息。

That’s their job.

那是它們的功能。

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

它們可以增加想法，像是可能性、不確定性、 或是對主動詞的義務。

Grammatically, modal verbs follow their own rules.

語法上，情態助動詞追隨 它們自己的規則。

Let’s see what this means.

我們看看這意思是什麼。

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

規則一：一個情態助動詞後面跟隨一個 沒有“to”的不定詞。

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

您不能在情態助動詞的後面放置一個名詞， 或一個-ing動詞，或任何其他的，只能

infinitive verb without ‘to’.

是一個沒有“to”的不定詞。

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

規則二：情態助動詞不適用於 不同的時間或時態。

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

情態助動詞不像是規則動詞那樣，它沒有 過去式、完成式或未來式。

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

有一些事情不是 100%是事實。

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

例如：“could”是“can”在一些事例裡的 過去式。

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

“Would”有時扮演像是 “will“的一個過去時態版本。

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

然而，”could“也可以有一個現在 或未來式的意思。

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

最好是獨立地考慮每個情態助動詞。

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

規則三：情態助動詞是*助*動詞。

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

那意思是您在它的後面加 ”not“來造否定意思。

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’

否定助動詞經常是短寫的， 儘管”might not“和”may not“

are usually written fully, without contractions.

常常寫完整的，沒有短寫形式。

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

至於”will“和”shall“，在否定形式時 拼寫會改變”will、won’t；shall、

shan’t.

shan’t。

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

要造疑問句，移動情態助動詞 到主語的前面。

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?

那其他的問題呢：為什麼情態 助動詞是重要的？

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

情態助動詞可以表達很多在任何情況下 您都定期需要的基本概念。

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

情態助動詞常用於表達義務、給出意見、 談論可能性和概率、

ask for permission, and more.

尋求許可，等等。

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

接下來，我們更詳細地看看 情態助動詞可以表達的含義。

Can I ask you something?

我可以問您某些事情嗎？

Sure.

當然。

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

我在想我也許會請求派遣到 新加坡的辦公室。

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

我總是想在海外生活， 我覺得現在是時候了。

What do you think?

您覺得呢？

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

我認為如果您已經考慮了 這個，那麼您要試一試。

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

後悔自己做過的事要比後悔自己沒有 做過要好；那是我的觀點。

Hmm…

呃…

Will they agree, though?

他們會同意嗎？

You don’t know till you ask!

您不問就不會知道！

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

隨便，我確定他們會同意的；您在 這有一個好的追蹤記錄，

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

如果您以後回來，您會有大量的 有價值的經驗。

So, they should say yes.

那麼，他們會同意的。

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

我只是擔心，因為我知道Olga 請求派遣到加拿大，他們

let her…

沒有派遣她…

That’s a totally different situation.

那是一個完全不同的情形。

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

Olga是一個稅務專家； 她是不可取代的。

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

我想再問一件事：您會幫我 寫一封引薦信嗎？

No problem!

當然可以！

I’d be happy to.

我太高興了。

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

在您申請之前還有一件 您必須要做的事情。

What’s that?

是什麼？

Talk to the Singapore office.

和新加坡辦公室談一下。

I can put you in contact if you need.

如果您想，我可以幫您聯繫安排好。

That’s great!

那太棒了。

Thanks so much for helping me out.

太感謝您的幫助了。

You can use modal verbs to express nine fundamental ideas.

您可以用情態助動詞來表達 九種基本的意思。

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

也許您在想：“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，它比那些更複雜。

First, the nine meanings are broad.

首先，九個意思是廣泛的。

Each contains several smaller ideas.

每一個包含有幾個較小的概念。

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

其次，每個情態助動詞可以 有一個以上的意思。

Anyway, we’ll worry about that later!

不管它了，我們以後再擔心那個！

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

至於現在，我們看看情態助動詞 可以表達的9個基本意思。

Asking permission.

請求許可！

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

在您考慮某事是事實或不是事實時， 表達可能性和不可能性。

Giving advice or suggestions.

提供意見。

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

在您確定某事是事實或不是事實時， 表達確定性或不確定性。

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

在您考慮一個結果比另一個結果 更有可能時，表達概率。

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

表達願意或拒絕，例如 在某人想或不想讓

else do something.

某人做某事時。

Making a request or an offer.

提出要求或要約。

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

在有必要做某事時，表達一個義務。

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

在某人有能力或不能 做某事時，表達能力。

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

在對話裡，9個基本意思中的 任何一個至少有一個例子。

Can you find them?

您可以找到它們嗎？

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

如果您想要這個挑戰，回頭 再聽一次對話。

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

試著找到一個含有表達了9種基本意思中 任何一種的情態助動詞的句子。

Let’s look together.

我們一起來看看。

Here are nine sentences from the dialogue.

這裡是對話裡的9個句子。

The first sentence is asking permission.

句一是請求許可。

You use ‘can’ to ask ‘Is this OK?’

您用“can”來問“Is this OK?”

Sentence two is talking about possibility.

句二是談論可能性。

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

您在詢問某事是可能的， 但不十分確定。

The third sentence is giving advice.

句三那是給出建議。

Number four is expressing certainty.

句四是表達確定性。

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

您現在確信某事是真實的， 或某事會在未來發生。

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

如果您想知道，那麼可能性和確定性 是密切相關的。

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

我們把它們分離開了，但是您也能 當做一個意思的兩面來看它們。

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

然後，概率，在句五，是不同的。

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

這是一個問題：概率和可能性 之間的區別是什麼？

Probability has different levels.

概率有不同的數值。

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

某事可以有90%的可能，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：或者某事是 可能的，或者不。

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

講某事是50%可能的沒有意思。

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

這也許聽起來是抽象的，但是它與 運用情態助動詞有關。

Here, ‘should’ expresses probability.

在這裡，“should”表達概率。

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 那更像是他們會說“yes”，

than ‘no’.

而不是“no”。

The sixth sentence expresses refusal.

句六表達了拒絕。

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

“Wouldn’t”這裡有一個類似 “refused to”的意思。

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

句七是一個要求，在您要求 某人為您做某事時。

The eighth sentence expresses an obligation.

句八表達了一個義務。

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

“Must”在這裡意思是有必要做某事。

Finally, the ninth sentence expresses ability.

最後，句九表達了能力。

So, there’s a lot of information here!

所以，這裡有很多信息！

What should you take away?

您應該要帶走什麼？

Let’s look at two key points.

我們來看兩個重點。

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

首先，在這九句中，並非 每個情態助動詞都可以用。

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

沒有“could”，沒有“shall”以及沒有 “may”。

What does this tell you?

這告訴您什麼？

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

它表達了我們之前告訴您的內容： 每個情態助動詞可以有多個含義。

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

此外，它還告訴我們，每個意思， 像是義務、確定性等都可以

more than one modal verb.

有多個情態助動詞來表達。

Let’s look at this point in more detail.

我們來更詳細地了解這一點。

Can you look at something for me?

您可以幫我看一些東西嗎？

Sure.

當然。

What’s up?

什麼事？

It’s my laptop.

那是我的筆電。

It’s acting weirdly.

它跑起來有點奇怪。

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

我知道您很內行這些東西，所以…

What’s the problem exactly?

到底是什麼問題呢？

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

它有點卡卡的，我暫時不能 做任何事情。

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

有時只是幾秒鐘，但是 有時半個小時。

It’s really annoying!

那真的很煩人！

Older laptops can get like that sometimes.

較舊款的筆電有時會像這樣。

But I only bought it six months ago!

但是我六個月前才買的耶。

Do you have an antivirus program?

您有防毒軟體嗎？

Yes, and I do scans regularly.

有，我定期做這個。

It can’t be a virus.

那不可能是一個病毒。

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

我在技術方面不內行，但是 我很注重安全性。

Hmm…

呃…

That’s probably not the problem, then.

那可能不是問題，那麼。

Can I take it for an hour or so?

我可以拿著它一個多小時嗎？

I’ll need your login password, too.

我也要您的登入密碼。

That way I can take a proper look.

那樣我可以適當地看看。

OK, here.

好的，這裡。

Thank you so much!

太感謝您了。

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

在這個對話裡，有五個運用情態 助動詞“can”的不同句子。

Do you remember them?

您還記得它們嗎？

Here they are.

它們在這裡。

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

在每個句子裡，“can”有一個 不同的意思。

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

考慮您在第二單元看到的情態助動詞 的九個基本意思。

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

您可以解釋“can”在每一個句子 裡的含義嗎？

Can you see how they’re different?

您能看出它們有什麼不同嗎？

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

“Can you look at something for me?” 是一個要求。

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

“I can’t do anything for a while” 表達了能力。

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

“Older laptops can get like that sometimes” 表達了一個一般的可能性。

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

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

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

“It can’t be a virus”表達了確定性。

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

那像是說“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?” 是請求許可做某事。

This is just one modal verb.

這只是一個情態助動詞。

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

“Can”是一個極端的例子，因為大部分 的情態助動詞沒有五種不同的意思。

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

實際上“can”有六個意思— 它可以用來提出要約，就像在“Can

I help you with anything?’

I help you with anything?”一樣。

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

然而，每個情態助動詞至少有兩個 不同的意思，大部分有

four.

三個或四個。

So, what’s the point here?

那麼，這裡重點是什麼？

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

重點一：*真正地*不要嘗試以翻譯 它們成您的語言

language.

的方式來理解情態助動詞。

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

當然，一般來說，這是對的， 但這對情態助動詞尤其重要，

they don’t translate cleanly between languages.

因為它們無法在語言之間 清晰地翻譯。

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

如果您覺得英文的“can”翻譯成您的 語言裡的一個動詞，

problems for yourself.

您會自找麻煩。

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

重點二：要理解在句子裡的一個 情態助動詞，您需要理解上下文。

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

同樣，這是一般性的建議，但 對於情態助動詞特別重要。

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

在不同上下文裡的一個情態助動詞的 意思可以是完全不同的。

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

重點三：情態助動詞的不同 意思是沒有相互關聯的。

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

看兩個有“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?

在這兩句裡”must“意思是什麼？

In the first sentence, ‘must’ expresses certainty.

在句一，”must“表達了確定性。

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

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

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

在句二，”must“表達了 強烈的意見。

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

大部分的英文學習者會首先學習運用”must“ 來表達義務，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，當他們看到單字”must“，他們會 考慮他們自己語言裡的動詞。

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

如果您這樣做，您也許認為”msut“ 的其他意思是以某種方式

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

與義務的概念或您首先 學到的東西去相關聯。

But, there’s no connection.

但是，那是沒有關聯的。

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

您在這三個句子裡運用 “must”這個單字只是一個巧合。

The meaning is completely different in each case.

在每個事例裡的意思 是完全不同的。

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

除了單字是一樣 之外，沒有聯繫。

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

現在我們再看一件您要知道的 關於情態助動詞的事情。

What time are we supposed to be there?

我們應該什麼時候到那裡？

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

10點。我覺得，但是我覺得我們 應該盡量至少提前十五分鐘到達。

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

那麼，那意思是我們必須在…離開這裡， 什麼?

Nine?

9點？

We’d better leave earlier, I think.

我們最好是早點離開，我覺得。

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

明天捷運要罷工，那麼 交通會是很恐怖的。

Are we going to drive, or take a taxi?

我們開車去還是搭計程車去？

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

我不確定我們會找到一部計程車， 所以我認為開車去最好。

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

在對話裡，您聽到半情態 助動詞的幾個例子。

Do you know what these are?

您知道那是什麼嗎？

Here are the sentences you heard.

這裡是那些您聽到的句子。

So, what are semi-modal verbs?

那麼，半情態助動詞是什麼？

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

半情態助動詞有一些情態助動詞的 特點，但不是全部。

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

最重要的是，半情態助動詞 擔當與情態助動詞一樣的工作。

They add information to other verbs.

他們給其他動詞增加信息。

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

他們可以表達很多相同的意思， 像是義務或提出建議。

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

他們並不追隨規則情態助動詞 的所有語法規則。

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

例如，“have to”是一個半情態助動詞， 您可以在不同的時態運用它：

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

它有一個過去時態，“had to”；您可以在現在 時態運用它“I have had to…”

and so on.

類似這樣。

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

通常，情態助動詞和半情態助動詞 能運用在相同的意思。

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

看兩個句子：“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

這裡，您使用“going to”，它是一個 半情態助動詞，以與您使用“will”

you can use ‘will’.

相同的方式來表達確定性。

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

在此種情況下，您用哪一個 動詞沒有關係。

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

然而，在一些事例裡，半情態助動詞 有它們自己的特定意思。

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

例如，“supposed to”與“should” 相似，但不完全一樣。

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

看兩個句子：“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.

基本含義是相似的， 但不完全一樣。

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

如果您使用“should”，您在說 *您*認為這是重要的。

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

如果您使用“supposed to”，您的意思是 *其他人*認為這是重要的。

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

“We’re supposed to be there at ten”， 意味著其他人告訴您

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

10點會在哪裡。也許那對您 來說不重要。

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

也許您在考慮這一點： 有多少個半情態助動詞？

Can you give us a list?

您可以給我們一個清單嗎？

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

不完全是這樣的，因為尚未完全清楚 一個半情態助動詞擔當的作用。

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

很多課本會說“need”或 “dare”是半情態助動詞，但是在現代英文裡

rarely used in this way in modern English.

很少以這種方式來運用它們。

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

最常見的半情態助動詞是在本單元開頭的 對話裡有的全部半情態助動詞。

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

如果您理解了怎樣用這六個半情態助動詞， 您做得很好！

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

最後，有一個問題：對您來說，英文裡， 哪一個情態助動詞是

English?

最難懂和最難用的？

Why do you think that is?

為什麼您那樣想？

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

請在留言板上分享您的想法！

Thanks for watching!

感謝觀看！

See you next time!

下次見。