Modal Verbs(情態動詞)係用嚟表達想法或者態度。首先睇睇唔同嘅modal verbs代表嘅唔同意思:
機會/程度 – (低) may > should > will > must (高)
語氣 – (好客氣) might > may > can (唔太客氣)
唔係好明?唔緊要,一齊睇睇以下呢兩首歌嘅歌詞嚟學啦!
Should’ve Said No – Taylor Swift
You should’ve said no, baby and you might still have me
呢度嘅 should 係表示對方應該,甚至係有責任去 ‘say no’,而 might 就係表達可能性,意思係對方仲有少少機會可以同 Taylor 係埋一齊。
You can see that I’ve been crying
呢度嘅 can 係表示能力,意即對方係可以見到 Taylor 喊。
I can’t resist. Before you go, tell me this
Can’t 表示能力,即係 Taylor 無法抗拒。
If I Were a Boy – Beyoncé
If I were a boy I think I could understand.
呢句就係話係如果 Beyoncé 係男仔,佢諗佢就能夠明白。
If I were a boy I would turn off my phone
意思係如果 Beyoncé 係男仔,佢就會熄咗個電話。
睇完以上嘅示範,大家以後可以試試善用 Modal Verbs (情態動詞)嚟表達不同嘅能力、機會/程度、語氣等等喇!