| 词组 | might could |
| 释义 | might could Might could is a double modal found in regional American speech, chiefly in Southern and Midland areas according to our evidence (the Dictionary of American Regional English may modify this labeling when it presents its evidence). Might could is the most conspicuous of a number of double modals with might; the others are might can, might should, and might would. The American Dialect Dictionary has, in addition, an instance of might ought. The might in these constructions seems to intensify the notion of possibility or speculation; to the outsider who does not use the forms, the might seems to be similar in force to perhaps. These constructions are not found in print except as part of reported or fictional speech. Dialect surveys and fictional use associate them with less educated or uneducated speakers. Dialect surveys report that cultured informants tend to avoid the construction; we cannot tell whether this is a result of schooling or is a mark of social status or is simply a typical pattern for a familiar form not used in the presence of strangers. Here are a few examples: • "... My boy Sammy might could pay it for me "—Erskine Caldwell, A House in the Uplands, 1946 • He might could help 'em —John Faulkner, Men Working, 1941 (in ADD) • I might can do it. I don't know now —Aunt Arie, quoted in The Foxfire Book, ed. Eliot Wigginton, 1972 • He might should've called a timeout the play before —John Hannah, professional football telecast, 16 Nov. 1986 • "... Doc's afraid it'd kick him—might would, I guess...." —Charley Tyler, quoted in The Foxfire Book, ed. Eliot Wigginton, 1972 |
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