II. SOCIAL FUNCTION OF MODALS: MODALS FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION AND ENGAGEMENT
2. Simple Modals
Simple modals are usually used for expressing different social functions:
- willingness or intent
can, will, could, should be able to
- obligations/expectations
must, have to/has to
- different levels of advisability
could, should, might
- permission/denial/prohibition
can/can't/must not
- requests
could + pronoun (example: Could I . . . ?)
Simple modals are also used to express things that are facts or generally true, things that are true at the time of speaking, or statements about future actions:
Examples
You shouldn't drink coffee before you go to bed. It will keep you up all night. (general facts or things that are generally true)
He might be too busy to come to the meeting this afternoon.
He must be running late. He was supposed to be here at 6:30.
I will come by here at 3:30 p.m.
She called and said that they might be 30 minutes late. We should start the meeting without her.
Simple modals are formed by adding the base form of a verb to a modal. There is no 3rd-person singular form.
Examples
I must go.
You should study.
They might go to the movie.
He musts go (this is wrong).
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