Modal Auxiliaries. Deontic and Epistemic Modalities.

Question 1

Can

Answer 1

ability, possibility, permision, request, offer to help

Example: I can swim.(ability). Can I help you? (offer to help). Can you open the window? (request)

Question 2

Could

Answer 2

past ability, possibility, request, ask for permission, annoyance, deduction, permission past.

Example: She could speak three languages when she was younger. (ability in the past) You could have told me that!(annoyance). That could be Mary’s phone.(deduction).

Question 3

Must

Answer 3

obligation, necessity, deduction (past or pres,) or strong probability.

Example: You must study for the exam.(necessity). What’s that noise? It must be the cat. (deduction)

Question 4

May

Answer 4

possibility, permission, offer, concession or uncertainty.

Example: May I borrow your pen? (permission) May I help you? (offer- formal). They may live next door but I never see them. (concession)

Question 5

Might

Answer 5

possibility, suggestion, request (formal), annoyance (past and pres.), concession (past and pres.) or uncertainty in the past.

Example: He might have forgotten about the meeting.(possibility). You might at least say you’re sorry (annoyance).

Question 6

Shall

Answer 6

future actions, predictions(I/We), intention (I/We), offer(I/We) or asking for advice.

Example: Shall I help you? (offer) What shall we do now? (asking for advice)

Question 7

Should

Answer 7

advice, recommendation, giving opinion, expressing doubt, or obligation (duty).

Example: You should eat more vegetables.(advice)