City University of Hong Kong CLASS CLASS
Making Sense of Grammar
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asked Sep 22, 2020 in Questions about English Grammar by Mickey (7,360 points) | 286 views

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情态动词经常有“一词多义”现象,例如can有三种可能的语义:

1. 有能力:I can speak English.

2. 有可能:This can be a good choice.

3. 有许可:You can use my car.

这三种语义是彼此联系的,”有能力“去做某事,就意味着”被允许“做某事,从而就”很可能“做某事。例如:

有能力做(I can do it)→有许可做(You can do it now)→有可能去做→It can be done
answered Sep 22, 2020 by Mickey (7,360 points)

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1,613 questions
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15,645 users