Modal could, may, might carry same effect for number 1 and 2 conditional sentences?

Question

Hi. Do you think all the following carry pretty much the same contextual meaning?

1. If I have some money, I could use it to buy a gift for my friend.

2. If I have some money, I may use it to buy a gift for my friend.

3. If I have some money, I might use it to buy a gift for my friend.

If they are, what is the difference between them and these below. Please notice how they form pairs (1 above to 1 below, 2 above to 2 below, 3 above to 3 below). I think no. 2 is not correct.

1. If I had some money, I could use it to buy a gift for my friend.

2. If I had some money, I may use it to buy a gift for my friend.

3. If I had some money, I might use it to buy a gift for my friend.

English 1b3 · Accepted Answer

No. I think they have subtle yet important differences in menaing.

1. I have the potential to buy a gift, if I have some money

2. I'm considering buying a gift, if...

3. same as 2.

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I believe only 1 is correct. Perhaps 3 is also correct.

Awaiting other respondents.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. Would you say all three versions mean the same?

If you wait until all the people are here, it 1) might/ 2) may/ 3)could be too late.

For this, I think only two, the sentences with the modal verbs "may" and "might," are correct, and if we use the modal verb "could" in the sentence it would be incorrect. What do you think?

If you wait until all the conditions are satified/met, you 1) might/ 2) may not make it.

Any help would be appreciated.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIf I have some money

This is a clause with a present point of view. It goes best with can or may, both of which also have a present point of view.

If I have some money, I can use it ... (I will be able to use it ...)

If I have some money, I may use it ... (maybe I will use it ...)

AnonymousIf I had some money

This is a clause with a past point of view. It goes best with could or might, both of which also have a past point of view.

If I had some money, I could use it ... (I would be able to use it ...)

If I had some money, I might use it ... (maybe I would use it ...)

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In addition to the four formulas above, note that some modal verbs with a "past point of view" can be borrowed into sentences with a present point of view. might very frequently works like this. So the following pattern should be added to the four above, as it, too, is correct:

If I have some money, I might use it ... (maybe I will use it ...)

I find it a borderline case whether could can substitute for can in a similar way. It doesn't sound right to me in this context, though it is sometimes unobjectionable in other contexts.

??? If I have some money, I could use it ... (I would be able to use it ...) ???

_____________________

The other combinations are not good. You can't borrow modal verbs with a "present point of view" into the past.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWould you say all three versions mean the same?

If you wait until all the people are here, it 1) might/ 2) may/ 3)could be too late.

Yes. I think that maybe could is all right here because the verb is be. could be.

AnonymousFor this, I think only two, the sentences with the modal verbs "may" and "might," are correct, and if we use the modal verb "could" in the sentence it would be incorrect. What do you think?

If you wait until all the conditions are satified/met, you 1) might/ 2) may not make it.

I agree. It's "not" that's the problem (if you want to call it a problem).

With may and might, not negates the following words; with can and could, not negates the can and the could - not the following words.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. I have to say that's a great explanation.

You wrote:

The other combinations are not good. You can't borrow modal verbs with a "present point of view" into the past.

Please help me further. Are you saying all three are not good? I happen to think both numbers 1 and 3 are good, whereas number 1 is not. I think numbers 1 and 3 are typical patterns for the number 2 conditional. I think, eventhough I am not sure, your response above affirms (validates?) my guess is right.

I wrote these in the starting post of this thread:

1. If I had some money, I could use it to buy a gift for my friend.

2. If I had some money, I may use it to buy a gift for my friend.

3. If I had some money, I might use it to buy a gift for my friend.

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Modal could, may, might carry same effect for number 1 and 2 conditional sentences?

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