MODALS

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Mindset Interview Findings

por Faith Milton

HAVE TO (DOVERE)

por Gabriella Sirianni

Distributed Storage

por Lin William

Rules and Obligation

por HERNANDEZ ASENCIO JUDITH ALEJANDRA

MODALS

Be to

obligation (formal)

Visitors are to leave the museum at 6pm.

future events

I was to go on holiday tomorrow.

I am to go on holiday tomorrow.

Need

unnecessary but not performed action

You didn't need to tell her since she already knew the result.

unnecessary and performed action = waste of time

It's raining now! I needn't have watered the garden.

Might

doubt (it's possible but unprobable)

She might come tonight.

hypothetical possibility (in the past)

I might have opened the door, but it was locked.

May

doubt ( = it's possible)

She may come tonight.

offers (polite)

May I take your coat?

permission / request permission (very polite)

May I go out with my friends? Yes, you may go out.

Ought to

Should

advice (weak obligation)

You should / should't work harder.

prediction

We should earn more money next year.

Have something done

passive meaning

I will / am going to / had / have my car repaired.

Have to

no obligation (negative)

You don't have to use all the boxes.

obligation (external)

You have to pay your taxes.

Must

belief

After such a day, you must be tired.

prohibiton (negative)

You mustn't touch the paintings in a museum

obligation (self, internal)

I must tell you the truth.

Could

Help (polite)

Could you help me?

After such a quiet day as yesterday, you couldn't be tired.

ability (in the past)

They could / couldn't speak Chinese when they were children.

They were (not) able to speak Chinese when they were children.

request permission (polite)

Could I go out with my friends?

possibility (in the past)

I could / couldn't open the door. It was locked.

I was (not) able to open the door.

Can

Help

Can you help me?

disbelief (negative)

After such a quiet day as today, you can't be tired.

ability / inability

They can / can't speak Chinese

They will / won't be able to speak Chinese after 1 lesson.

request permission / permission / refusal of permission

Can I go out with my friends? Yes, you can. / No, you can't.

I was (not) allowed to go out.

possibility / impossibility

I can / can't open the door. It's locked.

I will / won't be able to open the door.