Module 7

Possibility

Languages express ability, obligation, permission, probability, and advice.

Possibility is the space between what happens and what must happen. Words like can, cannot, must, might, and should show how a speaker evaluates an action: possible, impossible, required, uncertain, or recommended.

Core concepts

Can expresses ability or permission.

Cannot blocks possibility.

Must expresses obligation or strong inference.

Might and should express uncertainty or recommendation.

Examples

English

You can begin now, but you should review later.

Can marks possibility; should marks recommendation.

Spanish

Puedes empezar ahora, pero deberías repasar después.

Spanish uses forms of poder and deber to express similar modal meanings.

Visual model

Modal meanings

matrix

Can

possible or permitted

Cannot

blocked or impossible

Must

required or strongly inferred

Might

possible but uncertain

Should

recommended or expected

These meanings are often called modality: the speaker's stance toward reality.

Interactive exploration

Choose a modal stance.

Ability

Ability says the actor has the capacity to do the action.

I can explain it. / Puedo explicarlo.

Language detective

Identify the hidden structure

Find what is possible and who can do it.

Best: 0/5

Spanish

Puedes empezar ahora.

Who is acting?

What action is possible?

When is it happening?

What kind of sentence is it?

Is it positive or negative?

Look for roles, time, mode, and polarity.

Knowledge check

Test the concept

Best: 0/3

1. What does can often express?

2. Which word suggests recommendation?

3. What is modality?

Three conceptual checks

Previous module Next module