Modal Verbs

(For request; suggestions)

Can, May, Could and

81
Should
Focus Grammar : page
Can and Pronunciation:
Can = Keen
May May = Meey
Children in American schools learn to use the modal may when
asking for permission. A student ask the teacher, "May I be Can= be able to
excused?" before leaving the room. When students asked, "Can
I leave the room?" their teachers often made a joke, "You can,
but you may not." The teacher was saying the student is able
to leave the room, but does not have permission to do so.
May is the most formal way to ask for permission.
Could and May Pronunciatio
A third modal for making polite requests is could. n:
Could = Kud
For example, Could I please have some water?
Could is the past tense of can. However, when
asking for permission, could does not have a
past tense meaning. Could has the same meaning
as may when making requests. It is equally polite
to say Could I leave early? or May I leave early?
Could is used with any subject to ask for
permission. For example Could I open the
window? or Could you open the window,
please?.
Can Could May
Informal Formal More Formal and
Polite
 Ask for
permission
We use can, could and may to ask for permission.

Can Could May

We use Can to ask for could is more formal may is another more
permission in an and polite than can. formal and polite way
informal way. of asking for
permission.

Can I ask a question? Could I ask a question May I ask a question

please? please?

Can we go home now? Could we go home May we go home

now? now?

Structu Can + Subject + verb Could + Subject + verb May + Subject + verb
re: +Complement + ? +Complement + ? +Complement + ?
 Give permission
We use can and may, but NOT could, to give permission.
Can (Give permission) May (Give permission)

We use can to give permission: may is a more formal and

polite way of giving permission:

Example: Example:

You can go home now if you You may go home now, if Structure
like. you like.

Can (Give permission to do May (Give permission to do Subject + Can/ May +

something) something) Verb

We use can to say that may is a more formal and

someone has permission to do polite way of saying that
something: someone has permission:

Example: Example:
Students can travel free Students may travel free
 Request
When we make requests, we can use can or could (but not may). Could is more
polite than can:
Can Could more
Inform
al polite
Can you call back later? Im busy Could you call back later? Im
now busy now.

Can you open you books at page Could you just sit down and
34, please. listen!

Can + subject + verb + Could + subject + verb +

complement complement
Structure
Suggestions

Could & Should

Mary: Im going to the movies.

Tom: You Could/Should walk.

Shoul It's a good idea for

Suggestion - Definite advice d: she to Walk
Possibilities
Could Walk is an option or
: possibility.
Pronunciation:
Should =
Shuud
Could = Kuud
 Suggesti
ons
We use should or could to make suggestions and we use
should to make suggestions and give advice:

Should Could
You should send an email. You could send an email.

You shouldn't send an email. You could eat out tonight.

Subject + Should + verb + Subject + Could + verb +

complement complement
Shouldn't

Ask a
suggestion :
What do + subject + suggest + What do + subject + have +
complement? complement ?
What do you suggest for my What do you have for me
headache? headache?
ACTIVITY.
Circle the correct words.
1. A: Can / Could I help you?
B: Yes. May / Do I have something for itchy eyes?
A: Sure. You could / may try a bottle of eyedrops.
2. A: What do you suggest / try for sore muscles?
B: Why dont you suggest / try this ointment? Its
excellent.
A: Ok, Ill take it.
3. A: Could I suggest / have a box of bandages, please?
B: Here you are.
A: and what do you suggest / try for insomnia?
B: You should / may try this herbal tea. Its very
relaxing.
A: Ok. Thanks.
Could & Should
1. Which word is used for possibility?
a) Could
b) Should
2. Which word is used for advisability?
a) could
b) Should
3. If I say, "It's a good idea for you to study," I
mean...
a) You could study.
B) You should study.
4. "You could call your mother," means...
a) It's a good idea for you to call your mother.
b) Calling your mother is an option or possibility.
5. "You should call your mother," means...
a) It's a good idea for you to call your mother.
b) Calling your mother is an option or possibility