英语单词短语词组“grammar/british-grammar/modality-meanings-and-uses”的中文翻译、释义及用法解析-英汉词典

We often use modal verbs or other modal expressions when we want to express an opinion or attitude about a possible fact or to control a possible action. All modal expressions are about the speaker’s or writer’s view of the world.

Compare

He’s her brother. She told me.	I know this fact for certain. I am not expressing an opinion about it. I am stating it as a fact.
Hemustbe her brother. They look so much alike.	I am expressing an opinion about a fact because of the evidence that I have.

Jan always goes with us.	I’m not expressing an attitude or opinion about this action.
OK. Jancango if she’s finished.	I’m controlling a possible action. I’m giving Jan permission.

We can divide most modal words and expressions into two types of meaning:

The speaker or writer decides how certain something is, either in the present, future or past. They predict or speculate about a fact. We see this type of meaning when we talk about degrees of certainty, possibility, likelihood, doubt:

Paulacan’tbe home yet. It’simpossible. She left 10 minutes after us.

[The speaker hears the phone ring and predicts who is ringing.]

There’s the phone. That’llbe Mum.

Imaygo. I haven’t decided yet.

The speaker or writer wants to control or ‘direct’ the action. They give and refuse permission. They talk about obligation and necessity. They talk about how they would like the world to be:

[parent says to child]

Youcancome if you’re good.

Heshouldtake more care.

Tell Jen sheneedn’tbother about the washing up.

Youmustn’tworry so much about her.

Youmaygo now.(formal)

Often the same modal verb is used to express different meanings.

meaning	which verb?	example
really certain	will	My birthdaywillbe on a Monday this year.
	won’t	Iwon’thave a party.
	shall	Ishallhave plenty to tell you when I see you.
	shan’t	Ishan’task you to come again.
	must	The cakesmustbe ready soon. They’ve been in the oven for an hour.
	can’t	Youcan’tbe hungry. You had a huge lunch.
very likely	should	The traffic isn’t heavy. Weshouldbe there in an hour.
very likely	ought to	The traffic isn’t heavy. Weought tobe there in an hour.
possible	may	Shemaybe a friend of Richard’s.
	might	Shemightbe a friend of Richard’s.
	could	Shecouldbe a friend of Richard’s.
strong obligation	must	Youmustarrive at 6 to pick up the tickets.
	have to	Ihave togo up to the hospital twice a week.
	need to	Weneed towin this game to get into the final.
weak obligation	should	Childrenshouldlook after their parents in old age.
weak obligation	ought to	Childrenought tolook after their parents in old age.
no obligation	needn’t	Ineedn’tdo it now. I’ll do it later.
	don’t need to	Idon’t need todo it now. I’ll do it later.
	don’t have to	Idon’t have todo it now. I’ll do it later.
permission	can	Canwe go out now? Youcango now if you’ve finished.
	may	Youmaygo now if you’ve finished. MayI borrow a chair?
	could	Couldwe borrow the car?
	might	Mightwe have a little more time to finish the exam?(very formal)
no permission	can’t	Youcan’tgo in without a ticket.
	may not	Youmay notenter while the exam is in progress.(formal)
	must not	Youmust notleave your bike in front of the fire exit.
offer	will	I’llget it. You stay there.
offer	shall	ShallI go and make dinner?
request	will	Willyou close that door?
	would	Wouldyou close that door?
	could	Couldyou help me with this?
promise	will	I’llcome back before 6.
decision	will	I thinkI’lleat later. I’m not hungry now.
advice and suggestion	should	Youshouldapply for that job.
ability	can	Canyou swim underwater?
ability	could	Icouldplay much better ten years ago.
general truth	can	Too much exercisecanbe bad for you.
general truth	may	A list of verbsmaybe found at the back of the book.

Modality: meanings and uses

Modal meaning

Modal verbs