Вопрос школьника
We use the modal verbs must, may, can and can’t to say if something is probable, possible or impossible.
Ответ от учителя
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that are used to express various degrees of possibility, probability, and necessity. In English, there are several modal verbs that are commonly used to indicate the likelihood of an event or situation. These include must, may, can, and can’t.
The modal verb must is used to express a high degree of probability or necessity. When we use must, we are saying that something is very likely to happen or that it is necessary for it to happen. For example, «I must finish my homework before I can go out with my friends» indicates that completing homework is necessary before going out with friends.
The modal verb may is used to express a possibility or likelihood of something happening. When we use may, we are saying that something is possible, but not certain. For example, «It may rain tomorrow» indicates that there is a possibility of rain, but it is not certain.
The modal verb can is used to express ability or possibility. When we use can, we are saying that something is possible or that we have the ability to do something. For example, «I can speak Spanish» indicates that the speaker has the ability to speak Spanish.
The modal verb can’t is used to express impossibility or inability. When we use can’t, we are saying that something is impossible or that we do not have the ability to do something. For example, «I can’t fly» indicates that it is impossible for the speaker to fly.
In summary, modal verbs are used to express the likelihood of an event or situation. Must indicates a high degree of probability or necessity, may indicates a possibility or likelihood, can indicates ability or possibility, and can’t indicates impossibility or inability.
