Степень вероятности протекания события

Степень вероятности протекания события помогает определить ситуация. Чтобы дать вероятностную оценку прошлым событиям, необходимо употребить перфектный инфинитив.

*Упр. 6.5.1. Употребите глагол в скобках в нужной по контексту форме:

will must might may could won’t can’t       do, be doing    

 

a. There’s no point in phoning him this afternoon. He _________ (work) in the garden, and he __________ (not hear) the phone.

b. Don’t forget your umbrella. You never know, it __________ (rain).

c.~ A I hope we ___________ (not disturb) Pat when we drop in tonight.

~ B Don’t worry. She _____ (not work). She told me yesterday she never works in the evening.

d. It’s a crazy idea but it _____________ (work).

e. ~ A I have invited Jane to the party on Saturday.

~ B She ____________ (not come). She hates parties.

f.~ A I’ve bought three kilos of cheese for the party.

~BThat’s rather a lot, isn’t it? They ___________ (not like) cheese.

g. ~A Why haven’t you gone to the airport? I thought you were going to Rome.

~B I’m sure the plane _____________ (delay – passive). The weather’s too bad.

h. Be careful with the dog. She turns a bit nasty sometimes, and _______ (bite) you.

Упр.6.5.2. Перефразируйте предложения, заменив подчеркнутые выражения на модальные глаголы must, can’t или might с нужной по контексту формой инфинитива.

Пример: I’m sure Harry’s at least sixty. Harry must be at least sixty.

Perhaps he’s having a party. He might be having a party.

 

a. I’m sure he hasn’t retired yet. He still leaves the house every morning.

b. I’m sure he isn’t very well off. His house is in a terrible mess.

c. Perhaps he spent all his money when he was younger.

d. I’m sure he does a lot of gardening. His garden looks beautiful.

e. I’m sure he’s read a lot of books about gardening. He’s certainly an expert.

f. I’m sure he’s working in his garden now. I can hear someone digging.

g. Now I can hear voices. Perhaps he’s talking to Miss Appleby.

h. No, I’m sure it isn’t Miss Appleby. It’s two men’s voices.

i. They’re shouting. Perhaps they are having an argument.

j. They’re talking about money. Perhaps Harry owes the other man some money.

k. Now I can’t hear anything. I’m sure they’ve gone inside.

l. My God! A gun shot! I’m sure Harry killed him!

m. No, there’s Harry outside, so it wasn’t Harry who was shot.

n. There’s a siren. I’m sure this is the police arriving.

o. Look at all those lights and cameras. Ah! Now I understand. They were making a film!

Упр.6.5.3. Поставьте себя на место детектива, расследующего ограбление в доме Смитов. С помощью соответствующих модальных глаголов выскажите предположение о ситуации.

“I wonder how the thief got in. He (a) __________ used a ladder or he (b) ________ had a key. Ah! What’s this? Broken glass by the kitchen door, and the door has been unlocked. He (c) _________ broken the window, put his hand inside, and turned the key. That (d) __________ made a noise. I wonder if the neighbours heard anything?”

(He goes next door to talk to the neighbours, and knocks on the door.)

“There is no reply. I suppose they (e) _________ be on holiday, or they (f) ___________ watching television.”

(He listens at the letter-box.)

“I can hear voices. Someone (g) _________ in. Rather odd.”

(He goes back to the Smith’s house.)

“Now I wonder what was stolen. I don’t think the Smith family is terribly well off, so the thief (h) _________ found a lot to steal. It was clever of him to come in just after Mrs Smith went shopping. He (i) ___________ known she would be out. What was that noise? It came from upstairs. The burglar (j) _________ not _______ left the house yet! He (k) __________ hiding upstairs! I’d better go and see.”

Упр.6.5.4. Закончите второе предложение так, чтобы оно имело значение, подобное первому. Используйте выделенное слово и от 2 до 5 других слов, нужных по смыслу.

a. It is possible that you gave her the wrong number.

mightYou __________ the wrong number.

b. It is not possible that Richard knew about this.

have Richard ________ about it.

c. Perhaps Susan didn’t want to come to the party.

may Susan ________ to come to the party.

d. There is a possibility that Mary forgot about the meeting.

could Mary _______ about the meeting.

e. I am certain that he wasn’t telling the truth.

must He _______ lies.

f. He might have seen the film already.

has Perhaps________the film.

g. The police say his death was definitely not an accident.

been The police say his death ______ an accident.

h. There is no doubt that he was driving too fast at the time.

must He ________ too fast at the time.

i. Perhaps Colin was in the bath when you phoned.

might Colin ________ in the bath when you phoned.

j. It is possible that she did not receive my letter.

may She ________ my letter.

Упр.6.5.5. Выберите правильный вариант из каждой пары.

a. I’m not certain, but it might/must have been half past four.

b. You must/can’t have been sunbathing all week - you haven’t got a tan.

c. Why don’t you sit down? You may/must be exhausted after such a long journey.

d. She can’t/must have gone on holiday. She’s got too much work to do.

e. It can’t/must have been Tom who left the lights on. He’s always doing that.

f. Laura may/can’t have tried to phone earlier, but I don’t know for sure.

g. He must/might have picked up this gun because his fingerprints are all over it.

h. She can’t/could have eaten that whole cake herself – it was huge!