(二)may / might
1.表示请求和许可
May I trouble you to pass me the book?
能不能麻烦你把那本书递给我?
—Might I point out your mistakes?我可不可以指出你的错误.
—Yes,you may (can ).可以./ No,you mustn’t (can’t ).不可以.
2.表示可能性
may/might表示“可能性”时只用于肯定句和否定句,疑问句中通常用can表示可能性. He may be very busy now.现在他可能很忙.
It may not be true.这可能不是真的.
Can it be true?这可能是真的吗?
3.表示祝愿
常用于May + 主语+动词原形结构.
May you succeed.
4.构成固定搭配 may / might as well意为“不妨;还是……的好.”
You may/might as well stay where you are.你还是待在原地好.
If that is the case,we may/might as well try.
如果那样的话,我们不妨一试.
1.表示“必须,应该,命令,禁止”,语气较强烈.
We must do everything step by step .
我们必须按部就班地做一切事情.
You must cut down on your smoking.
你必须少吸烟.
Drivers mustn’t drive after drinking.
司机严禁酒后驾车.
You mustn’t leave your books about.
你不能把书扔得到处都是.
2.表示对过去、现在、将来的推测,意为“一定,准是”,只用于肯定句中,表示否定的推测用can’t,表示疑问的推测用can.
You have worked hard all day.You must be tired.
你辛苦干了一整天,一定累了.
He must be working in his office.
他一定在办公室工作呢.
I didn't hear the phone.I must have been asleep.
我刚才没有听到电话响,我一定是睡着了.
If Tom didn't leave here until five o'clock,he can't be home yet.
如果汤姆五点才离开这儿,他此时一定还未到家.
Someone is knocking at the door.Who can it be?
有人在敲门,会是谁呢?
3.must可表示某种与说话人的意愿相反、不受欢迎的事情,意思是“偏偏”、“偏巧”.
Why must it rain on Sunday?为什么偏偏星期天下雨?
Why must you always bother me?为什么你偏要打扰我呢?
注意:
在回答must的问句时,否定回答用needn’t或don’t have to ,表示“不必”,而不用mustn’t.
—Must I come back before ten?我必须十点以前回来吗?
—-Yes,you must .是的,你必须十点前回来.
—-No,you needn’t / don’t have to.不,不必.
can’t 的用法
1.表示“不能,也可表示“条件不允许”.
We can’t swim here on account of the sharks.
我们不能在这儿游泳,因为有鲨鱼.
2.可表推测语气.
That person can’t be our teacher.
那个人不可能是我们的老师.