Types of meanings denoted by the verb can
Розміщено 11-05-10 у розділі Освіта.
Типи значень, які виражає модальне дієслово can
The primary meaning of the modal verb can was “to know”; “to know” in terms of “to be acquainted with sb./smth.”, and also “to hold the knowledge of smth. practically” (for example, to know a language etc.). Thus, in the Old period of the history of the English language Ic hi ne cude meant I did not know them. The same in the Middle English period, for example – I can no termen of astrologie, which meant: I do not know any terms of astrology.
Around the Early Modern English period the meaning “to know” of the verb can was lost. Along with the meaning “to know’ modal verb can had also in Old English period the meaning “to be able to” and in this case was used with the infinitive of another verb. Change of the meaning came from “to know” to “to know, how (to do smth.)”, “to be able to”.
Modal verb can has two forms: can – for the present tense and could for the past tense.
Can has the following meanings:
Physical and mental ability or capability:
e.g. “He can walk without my help now” [6; p.39].
e.g. “It is brief advice, but as sound as I can give” .
(“Порада коротка, але більш мудрої я вам дати не можу”) [27; p.29].
e.g. “Three dogs could not drag the sled so fast nor for so long hours as could six, and they were showing unmistakable signs of playing out.”
(“Три собаки не могли везти сани так швидко, як це робили шість; вони помітно вибилися з сил”) [29; p.18].
e.g. “I think we’re very good friends already. We can always remain so as long as you don’t spoil it by saying extravagant silly things to me”
(“Я вважаю, що ми вже добрі друзі. Ми завжди можемо залишатися друзями до тих пір, поки ви не зіпсуєте нашої дружби, тим що почнете мені говорити екстравагантні дурниці”) [30; p.64].
In the Ukrainian language verb can in this meaning is rendered as “могти” and modal word“можна”. In English language this meaning of the verb is connected with the combination “it is (was, will be) possible to…”.
Verb can expresses possibility:
e.g. “We’ll go away to-day, if you like. We can easily catch the 3.40”
(“Ми поїдемо сьогодні, якщо хочеш. Ми легко можемо встигнути на поїзд на 3.40”) [28; p.54].
e.g. “It is quite fine now, Clara. We can walk to a motor bus”
(“Вже зовсім прояснилось, Клара. Ми можемо іти до автобуса”.) [31; p.20].
In the interrogative sentences modal verb can expresses impossibility of realizing the action.
e.g. “There can’t be any feelings between the like of you and the like of me”
(“Між такими, як ви, і такими, як я, не може бути взаєморозуміння”) [31; p.120].
In the negative sentence verb can expresses impossibility of realization of the action
e.g. “He was certain there could be no light”
(“Він був певен, що світла не могло бути видно”) [29; p.108].
e.g. “I’m afraid it can’t be to-night”, said Mor, “I must get back”
(“Боюся, що сьогодні ввечері це неможливо, – сказав Мор, – я повинен повернутися назад”) [30; p.118].
In the negative sentences verb can also expresses doubt or improbability of the action:
e.g. “You can’t mean it”
(“Не може бути, щоб ви мали це на увазі”). [6; p. 42].
e.g. “Oh! It can’t be true!”
(“О! Не може бути, щоб це було правдою”). [30; p. 42].
If the improbability is in the past, then modal verb can is used with perfect infinitive.
e.g. “Oh! Freddy, there must be one. You can’t have tried”.
(“О! Фреді, таксі, мабуть, є. Не може бути, щоб ти насправді намагався знайти його”.) [30; p. 5].
e.g. “He can’t have said such a thing”.
(“Не може бути щоб він сказав таке”) [30; p.222].
Modal verb can is used in interrogative sentences which express uncertainty in the probability or reality of the action, bewilderment, surprise.
In the interrogative sentences which express uncertainty/doubt modal verb can is often used.
e.g. “Could you believe that ?”
(“Чи ви можете в це повірити?”) [31; p.24].
e.g. “Can you blame the girl?”
(“Чи можна звинувачувати дівчину?”) [31; p. 139].
Modal verb can is widely used in questions which express bewilderment, perplexity.
e.g. “What can Freddy be doing all this time? He’s been gone twenty minutes.”
(“Що Фредді може робити весь цей час? Пройшло двадцять хвилин, з того часу як він пішов.”) [31; p. 4].
e.g. “…but what else could her letter mean?”
(“…але що ще міг означати цей лист?”) [6; p.44].
In the emotionally-coloured sentences we often use could which expresses surprise, blame.
e.g. “How else could you possibly know that she is here?”
(“А як інакше ви могли б дізнатися, що вона тут?”) [31; p. 61].
e.g. “I wonder what that could heave meant?”
(“Не розумію, що б це могло означати?”) [6; p.44].
e.g. ”How could you be so silly, Henry?”
(“Як ви могли бути таким дурним, Генрі?”) [31; p. 81].
Modal verb can expresses permission:
e.g. “You can keep the change”
(“Можете залишити здачу собі”) [31; p. 9].
e.g. ”James, you can take Agatha down”
(“Джеймс, ви можете відвести Агату вниз”) [6; p.45].
Can also is used in the meaning “to have the right”, which is close to permission.
e.g. “Nobody can force you to accept this bequest. You can repudiate it”.
(“Ніхто не може (немає права) змусити вас прийняти цей спадок. Ви можете відмовитися від нього”.) [31; p. 131.]
e.g. “Now you are free and can do what you like”.
(“Тепер ви вільні і можете (в праві) робити все, що вам до вподоби”.) [6; p.46].
In rare cases modal verb can is used in the meaning of supposition:
e.g. Lethaby, the chief English authority on Westminster Abbey and its contents, thought it could have been made in Paris (Brit. T. – D., No. 118, 31).
(Летабі, головний в Англії знавець Вестмінстерського абатства і його пам’яток, вважав, що вона, можливо, була зроблена в Парижі. (Йдеться про одну із скульптур в Вестмінстерському абатстві) [6; p. 46].
Thus, modal verb can possesses a number of meanings from “be able” in terms “in condition” to “be able” in terms “it is possible for me”.
The basic meanings of can are personal ability, and possibility. It is widely used in emotionally-coloured speech expressing perplexity, astonishment, doubt etc.
Теги: in English, дипломні
