BASIC ENGLISH

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Modals

may and can for Permission and Possibility

may might

can could

may and can are used for all persons in the present and future might is used in the conditional sentence could is used for past and

First person I/we can is the most usual form. e.g: I can take a day off whenever I want. I/we may meaning I/we have permission to ... is possible. e.g: I may leave the office as soon as I have finished.

may and can for Permission (in the present or future)

Second person may is used when the speaker is giving permission. e.g: You may park here. (I give you permission to park here) can is used as an informal alternative to may. It can also be used to express the idea of having permission.

may and can for Permission (in the present or future)

e.g: You can take two books home with you. (I allow you to take two books) You cannot eat sandwich in the library. (the librarian doesnt allow you to eat)

may and can for Permission (in the present or future)

could for Permission (in the past)

could expresses general permission in the past e.g: On Sundays we could get up late. (we were allowed to get up late) We could not bring our dog into the restaurant. (we were not allowed to bring dog)

Request for Permission

can I? could I? may I? might I? are all possible and can be used for the present or future. can I? is the most informal. e.g: Can I have a sweet? Yes, you can could I? is the most general and can express for formal and informal requests. e.g: Could I have two tickets, please?

Request for Permission

may I? is a little more formal than could I? but can be used for both types of requests. e.g: May I speak to him? Yes, you may might I? is more diffident than may I? and indicates greater uncertainty about the answer. e.g: Might I have a copy of the letter? Yes of course

may/might used for present or future possibility, but might slightly increases the doubt. e.g: Tom may lend you the money. (maybe Tom will lend you the money) might used in the conditional e.g: If you invited him, he might come.

may and might for Possibility

can means it is possible e.g: You can ski on the hills. (there is enough snow) We cant bathe here because of the sharks. (it isnt safe) Can you get to the top of the mountain in one day? (is it possible?)

can and could for Possibility

can also express occasional possibility. e.g: Measles can be quite dangerous. (sometimes they are quite dangerous) The Straits of Dover can be very rough. (it is possible for the Straits to be rough) could is used in the past. e.g: He could be very unreasonable. (sometimes he was unreasonable)

can and could for Possibility

can and could for Ability

can could can used for present ability. e.g: I cant pay you today. She can dance. could used for past ability. e.g: He could run as fast as a tiger. Either Billy or his sister could play tennis.

will and would

will Instant decisions e.g: I dont see any taxi, so Ill walk. Offer e.g: She will do that for you if you like. Promise e.g: Ill get it back to you on Monday. Certain prediction

will and would

would Asking for permission e.g: Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Request e.g: Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment? Invitation e.g: Would you like to play golf this Friday?

will and would

would Making arrangements e.g: Would three o`clock suit you? Thatd be fine. Preferences e.g: Would you prefer tea or coffee? Id like tea please.

ought to and should can be used for present and past. e.g: I ought to write to him. John knew he ought to go there. You should paint your door. should can replace ought to and have the same meaning, but should is the more usual form.

ought to, should for Obligation

must/have to used for present, future, or past. The future tense is supplied by will have to and the past tense is supplied by had to. e.g: You must get up earlier in the morning. We will have to walk slowly here. Karen and her family had to leave London.

must and have to for Obligation

must expresses obligation imposed by the speaker. e.g: You must wipe your feet when you come in. (mother says) have to expresses external obligation. e.g: I have to wipe my feet everytime I come in. (a child says)

must and have to for Obligation

must and have to have the impression that the obligation is being or will be fulfilled. ought to and should do not necessarily feel that the obligation is being or will be fulfilled.

Difference between ought to/should and must/have to

Exercise