44.
6 DYNAMIC MODALITY: POSSIBILITY, ABILITY, PERMISSION, PROPENSITY CAN,
BE ABLE, COULD, WILL, WOULD, MAY.
Can and Could
Dynamic Modality: Expresses properties or dispositions of the subject. The three related
meanings are expressed by can, negative cannot, can’t:
Can: Indicates dynamic possibility (e.g., "This paint can be applied with a spray"), ability
(e.g., "Can you reach the top shelf?"), and intrinsic permission (e.g., "You can’t park here").
Distinction: Dynamic possibility (can) is paraphrased as "It is possible to..." while extrinsic
possibility (may, might, could) is paraphrased as "It is possible that...".
I can be there by 10 o’clock. (= It is possible for me to be there by 10 o’clock)
I may/might be there by 10 o’clock. (= It is possible that I’ll be there by 10 o’clock)
Will and Would: Propensity
Propensity: Refers to the subject's tendencies or properties.
Will: Used for predictions about regular occurrences (e.g., "Ice will melt at room
temperature").
Would: Used in past contexts to indicate tendencies (e.g., "They would gossip for hours.").
Emotive Use: Strong emphasis on "will" and "would" can imply unwelcome tendencies. e.g.
He WILL ring up late at night asking silly questions.
Core Meaning of Can - You can't do that
The meanings expressed by can all correspond to a basic pattern, which in its positive form
can be expressed as ‘nothing prevents x from occurring’ and in its negative form as
‘something prevents x from occurring’. The "something" that prevents action can refer to
various sets of laws, including natural laws, moral laws, laws of physics, and social norms.
For this reason, the phrase "You can’t do that" can have multiple interpretations based on
context and the applicable laws:
● You can’t do that = It’s not possible for you to do that, e.g. walk from Buenos Aires to
Bariloche.
● You can’t do that = You are not able to do that, e.g. lift such a heavy box.
● You can’t do that = You are not allowed to do that, e.g. park your car in the square.
● You can’t do that = social norms prevail against doing that, e.g. infringe local
customs.
The ability to carry out an action is necessary for a person to perform that action, and "can"
allows for various pragmatic interpretations, such as:
● Willingness: "I can get the copies for you, if you like."
● Command: "If you won’t keep quiet, you can get out."
● Request: "Can you help me lift this sofa?"
● Existential Statement: "It can be very cold in Edinburgh in winter."
May (negative may not) – You may go now
"May" is a more formal way to express permission and dynamic possibility. Examples
include polite requests (e.g., "May I come in?") and possibilities (e.g., "Wild orchids may be
found in the woods.").
Might: Used for indirect requests (e.g., "You might fetch me a bottle of tonic water and a bag
of crisps.").
The past of can is could or was/were able + to-infinitive
"Could" indicates an imperfective aspect (extended action in the past), while "Be able to"
indicates a perfective aspect (single, completed action).
● From the top of the hill we could see for miles.
● He was able to escape in time. (not *He could escape in time)
This distinction is obligatory only in the affirmative and the interrogative. In the negative,
could and be able to are interpreted as having the same result and are therefore
interchangeable: He wasn’t able to escape. He couldn’t escape.