Rappel : Le modal exprime le point de vue de l'énonciateur
Echelle de probabilité
| Modal | Opinion de l'énonciateur | |
| 100% possible | It will work | c'est inévitable |
| It must work | c'est nécessaire | |
| It can work | c'est possible | |
| It could work | c'est plutôt possible | |
| It may work | c'est une possibilité | |
| It might work | ça pourrait être possible | |
| It can't work | c'est impossible | |
| 0% possible | It won't work | c'est totalement impossible |
Autres Sens (pression sur autrui)
| Pour exprimer | modal | exemple |
| Capacité/incapacité | Can | They can/can't sing high notes |
| Conseil/Suggestion | Should | You should stop smoking |
| Demande de service | Will, would, can, could | Will/would/can/could you open the window, please? |
| Obligation/contrainte | Must | You must learn your lessons |
| Interdiction | Mustn't, can't, may not |
You mustn't play instead
You can't say things like that You may not park on sidewalks |
| Permission | Can/may | You can/may go now |
| Reproche | Shouldn't | You shouldn't smoke so much |
| Volonté/refus | Will/won't, shall |
I won't take no for an
answer
Will you ask them or shall I? |
Cas
particulier de NEED et DARE