| Deontic | Epistemic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (obligation) | (likelihood) | |||||
| Necessity | Probability | Possibility | Necessity | Probability | Weak | |
| you must pull your socks up | you should pull your socks up | you may stay if you wish | he must be delayed | he should be delayed | he may be delayed | |
| English | must / have to / need to / shall | should / ought / (had) better | can / could / may / might | must / have to / be bound to | should / ought | could / may / might |
| Latin | oportere? / necesse esse? | debere | licere? | (future passive participle + esse)??? | (videtur + future passive participle + esse)??? | posse? |
| Polish | musieć / trzeba / potrzeba | mieć / powinien / należy | móc / wolno / można | (na pewno?) | (pewnie?) | móc / chyba / można |
Sample sentences adapted from CGEL p. 178
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