语法专题六 情态动词
情态动词表示说话人的语气和情绪,本身词义不全,不能单独作谓语,后面必须与动词原形一起构成谓语。情态动词没有人称和数的变化,但有的情态动词有过去式。
考点一 can与could
1.表示能力,但could主要指过去的能力。表示“过去有能力成功做成某事”时通常用was/were able to。
The little boy can speak two foreign languages.
Could the girl read before she went to school?
Everyone was able to escape when the fire broke out.
2.表示可能(理论上或是逻辑判断上,并不涉及此事真的发生),常译为“往往会,有时候可能会”,常用于肯定句中。
Accidents can happen on rainy days.
3.表示请求和允许。在问句中could语气比can要委婉。
You can go back home now.
4.表示惊异、怀疑、不相信等态度。主要用于否定句、疑问句或感叹句中。
How can you be so careless?
5.表示推测,常用于否定句和疑问句中,语气较强。
He can't be in the classroom;the light is not on.
6.cannot/never...too/enough...表示“再……也不为过”。
You can never be too careful when driving a car.
7.cannot but do sth./cannot help but do sth./cannot choose but do sth.表示“不得不,只好做某事”。