Have you heard the latest song by RAYE – Where is my husband?

I just love it! It’s fun, clever, and addictive. Watch the Official Music Video on YouTube. The subtitles are very helpful especially for English learners. Rachel, the lead singer believes that there is a husband somewhere out there destined for her, but, where is he?? She doesn’t want to grow old waiting. She doesn’t want to waste time with the wrong men. Where is he?? Where is my husband?!

Most of the lyrics are about how Rachel feels – now. However, in English, we often use Modal verbs (must, might, could, would, etc.) to convey feelings and beliefs which affect us now. 

* He must need me.

* I would like a ring.

* I would like a big and shiny diamond
that I could wave around and talk and talk about it.

Let’s examine these sentences:

Must, would, and could do not describe actions or facts now or any time. 

* He must need me.

This is Rachel’s belief. We don’t know if it’s true.

* I would like a ring.

* I would like a big and shiny diamond
that I could wave around and talk and talk about it.

This is all hypothetical. She doesn’t have a diamond ring to wave around. We think like this, don’t we? We think in the present about beliefs and possibilities for now and the future. They don’t always eventuate but we need language to describe our feelings and beliefs. This is why we have Modal verbs.

The song is very fast. You can watch it at 75% speed which is much easier for listening. However, you then miss the urgent, frenetic pace which is so compelling. 

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