III. DESCRIPTIVE/INTERPRETIVE FUNCTION OF MODALS: DESCRIPTIONS FROM THE SPEAKER'S POINT OF VIEW (OPINION)

2.0 Descriptions from the Speaker's Point of View (Interpretation)

Just as with Social Function Modals, modals used for the purposes of the description and interpretation of situations and actions have different functions.

These will be discussed in more detail in the sections that follow, but they include:

• Probability (predictions or certainty)
• Ability
• Describing likely effects
• Describing habits in the past