[Grammar] Modals with when + present tense refer to the general present or future?

[NAL123]

1) You can get into even worse trouble when you're not careful.

2) You could get into even worse trouble when you're not careful.

3) You may get into even worse trouble when you're not careful.

4) You might get into even worse trouble when you're not careful.

Do all of them have a general reference (timeless) or do they all refer exclusively to the future (as in "when you're not careful in the future")?

 

[teechar]

Do all of them have a general reference (timeless)

They refer to the general present or future.
Do you know the difference between them in such sentences?

 

[NAL123]

Do you know the difference between them in such sentences?

Yes. (2) and (4) seem to be more tentative than (1) and (3), respectively.

 

[NAL123]

If I changed the "when"s in (1-4) to "if"s, would the if-clauses imply specific situations (only future), or would they imply general situations (all times)?

1) You can get into even worse trouble if you're not careful.

2) You could get into even worse trouble if you're not careful.

3) You may get into even worse trouble if you're not careful.

4) You might get into even worse trouble if you're not careful.

 

[teechar]

No change. They still refer to the general present or future.