Types of meanings denoted by the verb must
Розміщено 11-05-10 у розділі Освіта.
Типи значень, які виражає модальне дієслово must
In the Old English language there was the verb mót with the basic meaning “to have a permission, possibility, to be able”. While comparing with Modern English it corresponds to the verb may in combinations “to be allowed, to have opportunity”. Sometimes, though seldom, verb mót was found in the meaning “to be obliged to”.
Modern verb must historically ascends to the conjunctive form of past tense of the verb mót – móste. Since XV and in XVI century must has the meaning of present tense.
When combined with any form of the infinitive must expresses probability, near certainty. It has the same meaning as the modal words probably, evidently. In this sense must occurs only in positive statements and corresponds to the Ukrainian modal words напевно, мабуть.
The general meaning of modal verb must in Modern English language is to express necessity. Depending on the context here we can distinguish the following semantic shades:
a) necessary natural character of the action:
e.g. “I knew it must be so: that it always had been and so it ever would be”
(“Я знав, що так повинно було бути, що так завжди було і так завжди буде”) [6; p.57].
e.g. “If a tooth must come out, the sooner the better”.
(“Якщо зуб повинен прорізатися, то чим швидше, тим краще”.) [6; p.58].
b) The necessity according to circumstances, the given conditions:
e.g. “We must go somewhere. We can’t wander about for ever”.
(“Нам необхідно піти кудись. Ми ж не можемо блукати без кінця”.) [31; p. 124].
e.g. “But White Fang’s reprisals did not cease, even when the young dogs had learned thoroughly that they must stay together”.
(“Але Біле Ікло продовжував мститися собакам навіть після того, як вони запам’ятали раз і назавжди, що їм потрібно триматися разом”.) [29; p. 88].
c) Certainty or inevitability of the future action:
e.g. “It was known – whispered among the old, discussed among the young – that family pride must soon receive a blow”.
(“…було відомо – про це шепотілись старі і обговорювали молоді – що сімейній гордості невдовзі повинен бути нанесений удар”.) [6; p.58].
Modal verb must is widely used to express request:
e.g. “Now you must promise you won’t be harsh with them for the rest of the trip, or I won’t go a step”.
(“Ти повинен пообіцяти, що в дорозі ти не будеш їх ображати, інакше я кроку звідси не зроблю!”.) [29; p. 240].
e.g. “You must take some responsibility for the children”
(“Ти повинен взяти на себе відповідальність за дітей”) [30; p. 15] .
e.g. “You must be reasonable, Mr. Higgins: really you must”
(“Будьте розсудливі, містере Хіггінс; будьте розсудливі”) [31; p. 42].
Modal verb must can also expresses probability or supposition. In this meaning must is often used in combination with forms of the infinitive, which have to be:
e.g. “You must see the faces of many people you’ve heard about”.
(“Можливо, ви багатьох впізнаєте – ці люди користуються популярністю”.) [28; p. 110].
e.g. “Miss Carter must be exhausted”.
(“Напевно міс Картер виснажена”.) [30; p. 111].
Supposition concerning the past (preceded) action is expressed in the combination of verb must with the perfect form of the infinitive:
e.g. “You must have frightened her”.
(“Ви, мабуть, налякали її”.) [31; p. 127].
e.g. “Well, he certainly must have strained himself to get this menagerie together”.
(“Напевне, йому немало довелося попрацювати, щоб зібрати у себе такий звіринець”.) [28; p. 113].
In combination with perfect form of the infinitive modal verb must has the meaning of obligation.
e.g. “I said she was my daughter-in-law, therefore she must have married my son.”
(“Я сказав, що вона моя невістка значить вона повинна була бути заміжньою за моїм сином.”) [27; p. 27].
e.g. “…and there was such a joyous sound in her merry laugh, that the sternest misanthrope must have smiled to hear it.”
(“…її радісний сміх звучав так весело, що найсуворіший мізантроп повинен був би усміхнутися, почувши його.”) [6; p.61].
This use of the modal verb must in Modern English language is a rare case, because in combination with the perfect form of the infinitive it usually expresses supposition or probability.
Теги: in English, дипломні
