商务合同中常用的情态动词及其使用方法

权利义务的约定部分构成了商务合同的主体，情态动词的准确使用旨在明确约定当事人的权利（可以做什么）、当事人的一般义务（应当做什么）、强制性义务（必须做什么）和禁止性义务（不得做什么）。may旨在约定当事人的权利（可以做什么），shall约定当事人的义务（应当做什么），must用于强制性义务（必须做什么）。

E.g. If any change is required regarding the terms and conditions of this agreement, then both parties shall negotiate in order to find a suitable solution, provided, however, that any change of this agreement shall be subject to the approval by the government of both parties.

译文：若须对本协议的条款进行任何修改，双方须经协商妥善解决，但本协议的任何修改须经协议双方政府的批准。

E.g. The Buyers may, within 15 days after arrival of the goods at the destination, lodge a claim against the sellers for short weight being supported by Inspection Certificate issued by a reputable public surveyor.

译文：货物抵达目的港15天内，买方可以凭有信誉的公共检验员出示的检验证明向卖方提出短重索赔。(www.xing528.com)

E.g. 在约定解决争议的途径时，可以说：

The parties hereto shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with the contract by friendly negotiations. Should such negotiations fail, such dispute may be referred to the People's Court having jurisdiction on such dispute for settlement in the absence of any arbitration clause in the disputed contract or in default of agreement reached after such dispute occurs.

译文：双方首先应通过友好协商，解决因合同而发生的或与合同有关的争议。如果协商未果，合同中又无仲裁条款约定或争议发生后未就仲裁达成一致意见的话，可将争议提交有管辖权的人民法院解决。

分析：本句中的shall 和may表达准确。出现争议后应当先行协商，所以采用了义务性“约定”，如果协商解决不了，作为当事人的权利，用选择性约定may也很妥当。如果may和shall 调换位置会怎么样？前半句的shall换用may后，意思变成了当事人可以通过协商解决，意思上说得过去，但后半句的may换用shall 后，变成了应当诉讼解决，好像一出事，就要先诉诸法律，就显得有些不友好了。