Modal Verbs

Can – Could – May – Might

FormulationAll modal verbs have the following features in common :

They are always followed by the “Infinitive without to”.

They are the same for all pronouns.

They do not need auxiliaries. They take direct negative and question forms .

They never combine whit another verbal modes.

Formulation

I can to sing I can sing

She could running fast She could run fast

Common formulation mistakes

Formulation

She cans swim She can swim

It might rains It might rain

Common formulation mistakes

Conjugating, for he, she and it, adding “S” Are the same for all pronouns.

Formulation

Do you can do this ? Can you do this?

He doesn´t may like it He may not like it

Common formulation mistakes

Using an auxiliary whit a modal Verb, take direct questions and negative forms

Formulation

She will can come tomorrow.

She can come tomorrow.

She will be able to come tomorrow .

Common formulation mistakes

Modal verbs do not combine whit each other.

Usage - Can

I can see you at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Can you mange that?

They cannot (can´t) dance

1. Ability or lack ability in the present or future

Usage - Can

You can use my office.

You cannot (can´t) smoke here.

2. Giving / not giving permission

Usage - Could

I could read without glasses last year.

I could not (couldn´t) last night.

1. Ability or lack ability in the present or future

Usage - Could

Could repeat that please?

Could we have a break please?

2. Making a request (always in the question form)

Usage - Could

What do you suggest we have for dinner?

We could have fish.

2. Making a suggestion (only in the affirmative)

Usage - May

May I use your pen?

May we have a look?.

1. Asking for permission

Usage - May

It May happen again

She May not accept the offer

2. Strong possibility in the present or future

Usage - Might

It Might happen again. (It cold happen again)

she Might not accept the offer.

1. A possibility in the present or future

Usage - Might

He Might have missed his train. (He could have missed his train)

I Might not have managed to convince her.

2. A possibility in the past (followed by “Have done”).

Note:

“May “ can also be used to show a possibility in the past, but is less common than might and could.

He Might/could/(may) have missed his train.

Note:

However, you must avoid using “May “ in a third conditional sentence:

If a have studied more, I might /could/would/may have passed my test.

One more thing…In very informal context, we tend to use “can” instead of the appropriate modal verb. Although this is acceptable, it is always best to use the correct modal verb in a formal situations and in exams.

Request: Can you open the door? Could you open the door?

Asking for permission: Can I use the phone? May I use the phone?

Suggestion: We can meet next week we could meet next week.

Possibility: It can happen again It May/might/could happen again.

Overusing “Can”

Gap filling exercise

…you speak German?

Yes, I …. I… speak it fluently when we lived in Germany.Why do you ask?I need this letter translated into German, do you think you… do it?Let me see , Yes, I … be able to. It … take a little time, though. And of course, I … need a dictionary too.… I borrow yours?to

Gap filling exercise

Can you speak German?

Yes, I can. I could speak it fluently when we lived in Germany.Why do you ask?I need this letter translated into German, do you think you Can do it?Let me see , Yes, I might be able to. It could take a little time, though. And of course, I may need a dictionary too. May I borrow yours?

Gap filling exercise

Of course, Oh Wait, my sister … have taken it.Let me go and have a look. No, it is here, you … borrow itOh Yes, your sister is a German teacher, you … have a Asked her.She is on holiday at the moment, and this … wait. I need it for tomorrow.I … not be able to do it for tomorrow, but I … do it for Wednesday.

Gap filling exercise

Of course, Oh Wait, my sister Might have taken it.Let me go and have a look. No, it is here, you can borrow itOh Yes, your sister is a German teacher, you could have asked her.She is on holiday at the moment, and this can´t wait. I need it for tomorrow.I might not be able to do it for tomorrow, but I can do it for Wednesday.

Gap filling exercise

Wonderful. … you e-mail it to me when you have a finished?

Shure.

Gap filling exercise

Wonderful. Could you e-mail it to me when you have a finished?

Shure.