Transcript MODAL VERBS ppt

Modal Verbs
May – Might – Could
to express possibility
Section 1
Simple Modal
Verbs
“May”
1.
2.
3.
to express possibility
to ask or to give a permission (formal)
to make requests
EXAMPLES:
He may come late today.
 You may use my Computer now.
 May I make a phone call?

Choose the best answer

Today is cloudy, it ________________ rain.
Does
May
Section 2
Past forms of
Modal Verbs and
their functions
“Could”
“Might”
1.
2.
3.
4.
to express general ability in the past, because
it is the past form of the “Can”
to express possible future actions similar to
“May and Might” in meaning
to make a request or ask something
to express unreal or impossible actions
EXAMPLES:
We tried hard but we could not
persuade them to come with us.
 My grandfather could not swim.
 Could you tell me what time it is?
 I don’t know how she works 14
hours a day in front of the computer,
I could not do this.

1.
2.
3.
to give or ask permission, or possibility in the
past, because it is the past form of “May”
to express future or present possibility and
probability
Interchangeably with “May” quite often with no
difference in meaning.
EXAMPLES:
He might be having lunch now.
 It might rain tomorrow.
 There may/might not be a meeting
tonight, because the director is ill.
 I may/might go to Italy this summer.

Choose the correct modal verb

Your brother was ill, therefore he _____
go out for a walk.
Can’t
Mustn’t
Couldn’t
Choose the correct modal verb

If he were here, he ____ help you.
May
Could
Choose the correct modal verb

This house ____ look better if they
painted it and cut the grass and planted
flowers.
May
Would
Choose the correct modal verb

He said that I ____ play any CD from his
collection while he was gone.
May
Might
Choose the correct modal verb

Don’t call me at 8:30. I ____ be watching
the football match on television.
Might
Can