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Why 'can' means both 'capability' and 'probability'?
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Questions about English Grammar
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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
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