Synonyms

Some modal verbs are synonyms. For example, SHOULD, OUGHT TO are close synonyms; WILL, WOULD are synonyms in some polite requests. It is sometimes difficult for language learners to choose the right synonym. Always choose a more general synonym out of a group of synonyms or a synonym with a more straightforward meaning. For example, MAY, MIGHT, COULD are synonyms in the meaning "possibility". MAY has two other meanings, COULD has four other meanings, and two of them are pretty difficult to distinguish from "possibility" without a clear context. Only MIGHT has just one meaning: possibility. The choice should be obvious – use MIGHT or MAY for "possibility". Recommendations which of the synonyms to use are given in the materials on specific modal verbs.