modal verbs "can" "could" "may" "might" "must" "ought to" "should" "will" "could" when they mean "possibility",is there any difference？ For example: "He may/might/could be in the library" "He can be v

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modal verbs "can" "could" "may" "might" "must" "ought to" "should" "will" "could" when they mean "possibility",is there any difference？ For example: "He may/might/could be in the library" "He can be very friendly at times" "We must be back by ten o'clock" "He ought to be home by now" "It 's ten o'clock.The football game should begin now" "It's ten o'clock.Janet will be paris now" "It would be about ten when he left home" They are so similar,right?

Mar 17, 2017 1:46 AM

Answers · 6

The semantic differences are substantial in my opinion. You should consult a competent textbook to fully explain the nuances of these verbs. It is beyond the scope of this forum/service.

March 17, 2017

When you study modals a little more closely, you'll see that there are many nuances and differences between them. For example, "past" modals indicate a weaker possibility, or a more hypothetical situation. In your examples, which events do you think are less likely?

March 17, 2017

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