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117
Can (could) he have let you down?
The verb can expressing surprise is not used in the negative form.
Therefore the Russian negative questions of the type -
нeyжeли он не ... is translated into English in
different ways:
a) by complex sentences:
Can if be that you haven’t seen him?
Неужели вы не видели его?
b) by different lexical means:
Can you have failed to see him?
Неужели вы не видели его?
Can you dislike the book?
Неужели вам не нравится эта книга?
Can nobody have seen him?
Неужели никто не видел его?
Can he have never written that letter?
Неужели он так и не написал письмо?
3. Reproach, implying that a person should have done something, or behaved in a certain way, but didn’t do
it. This meaning is found only with the form could.
You could at least have met me at the station, couldn’t you?
In this sense could is interchangeable with might.
4. Purpose. This meaning occurs only with the form could in clauses of purpose.
I wrote down the telephone number so that I could remember it.
Note some set expressions with the modal verb can:
Cannot/can’t help doing smth. - He могу не делать что-то
When I saw him I couldn’t help laughing. - Когда я увидел его, я не мог не засмеяться.
Cannot/can’t but do smth. - не могу не ...
I cannot but suggest... - Я не могу не предложить ...
We cannot but hope he is right. - Нам остается только надеяться, что... (не можем не надеяться...)
One cannot but wonder - нельзя не задуматься
as can be - an intensifying expression
They are as pleased as can be. - Они очень (страшно) довольны.
It’s as ugly as can be. - Это необычайно уродливо (трудно себе представить что-либо более
отвратительное).
May
§ 155. This modal verb has two forms: may for the present tense and might for the past and as the
subjunctive mood form. Thus the form might is used:
a) in indirect speech according to the rules of the sequence of tenses (though the verb could is preferable in