Quiz: Czyli, mogę, może, może... Modal Verbs in English

In the English language, modal verbs serve as grammatical devices used to express various aspects of meaning beyond those conveyed by simple action verbs. These modals do not change form when conjugated; they maintain their base forms without any inflections. They often indicate the speaker's opinion, belief, or attitude towards the situation rather than stating facts. Here we will explore five common modal verbs: can, could, may, might, and must, examining their meanings, usage patterns, and nuances within contemporary English.

Can

This is perhaps the most commonly used modal verb in the English language. It conveys ability, permission, or possibility. When followed by an infinitive phrase starting with 'to', it indicates potentiality or capability:

I can cook dinner tonight. (The person has the ability)
She can swim like a fish. (The subject possesses this skill.)

However, when followed directly by a bare infinitive, such as "eat," it implies permission:

I let you eat now. (A granting kind of permission)
Don't allow them into your room. (Denying permission)

When combined with other auxiliary verbs like 'do,' it signifies obligation or necessity:

If she doesn't study hard, she won't pass her test. (Must + do study well.)

Additionally, 'can' suggests likelihood or probability, particularly when used in interrogatives or negative sentences:

Can he really play soccer? (Is it probable?)
He cannot find his keys. (It isn't possible)

Could

Similar to can, could also represents ability or possibility, but it tends to suggest a hypothetical, past, or unlikely scenario:

She couldn't miss the movie even if she wanted to. (An impossibility)
We didn't have enough money so we had to cancel our trip. (Past financially driven situation)
Could you please hand me my glasses? (A request, rather than a demand)

Unlike 'can,' however, 'could' does not imply a current state of affairs. Instead, it hints at something that was once possible or likely, but which may no longer be true due to changed circumstances. This makes it more suitable for discussing hypotheticals or historical situations where one would want to emphasize uncertainty or doubt.

May

This modal has two distinct meanings: permission and future possibility. As a question word, it requests permission:

May I come in? (Permission being sought)
What did you say? It sounded like you asked permission. (If interpreted negatively: Coercion)

As a statement, it denotes future possibility:

She may go out right after school. (She has the potential to leave, yet no definite plans are made)
There may be rain later today. (Indicates that there is some chance, although probably less than half)

Like 'can,' 'may' often appears before bare infinitives to denote permission:

You may take off your shoes here. (Granting casual permission)
She may not drive until further notice. (Withdrawing permission)

Might

Very similar to may, 'might' suggests possibility, but usually indicates a lesser degree of certainty compared to 'may':

You might try asking him again. (Encouragement, but lower confidence level)
We might run out of coffee soon. (Stronger possibility, yet still uncertain)

'Might' also connotes a sense of caution or hesitation:

You might hurt yourself if you don't wear gloves. (Warning against self harm)
Be careful! You might break her heart. (Cautions against causing emotional pain)

When combined with other auxiliaries, especially with 'must', it creates a strong imperative tone:

You mustn't leave early, or else the plan fails. (Emphasizes importance, risks consequences strongly)

Must

By far the strongest among all these modals, 'must' denotes great necessity or obligation:

You must finish your homework first! (Obligation, often accompanied by urgency)
There must be dragons hidden somewhere in the forest. (Highly probable, yet indirect evidence)

Its forceful nature makes it difficult to deny or argue against:

You must tell the truth. (No logical rebuttal available)
People must care more about each other. (Implying moral duty and responsibility).

These examples illustrate how modifiers interact with different elements of clauses to create diverse shades of meaning. Each subtle variation serves its purpose effectively, allowing speakers to communicate complex ideas succinctly.