Hello students! Congratulations on completing Years 1 and 2 of American English. Now that you are better prepared and that your American English is stronger, during years 3, 4, and 5 of your American English studies with Maestro Sersea, you will receive a different English grammar lesson each week.
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Lesson 3.33.3: Year 3
Everyday Grammar:” Modals for asking permission.”
Can, Coud and May.
1. ”Can”
Usage: ability or capability: we use ”can” to express someone’s ability or capability to do something.
Example: She can swim very well. She can speak English.
Permission: we use ” can ” to ask for or informal permission
Example (asking) Can I borrow your pen?
Example (giving) Yes, you can.
2. ”May”
Usage.
Permission (formal) We use may to ask for or give formal permission.
Example (asking) May I have your pen.
Example (giving) Certainly you may.
Possibility ” May” can also express a possibility, although it is less common.
Example: It may rain later.
3. ”Could”
Possibility, Permission
It is more polite than ”can.”
Example: Could I use your pen?
Could We join you later?
Dear teacher,
Lesson 3.33.3: Year 3
Everyday Grammar:” Modals for asking permission.”
What is a modal auxiliary verb ?
A modal verb (also called a modal auxiliary verb) is used along with a main verb to express possibility, ability, permission, or necessity.
Modal verbs are quite common in English; you’ve seen them in action hundreds of times even if you didn’t know what they were called. The most frequently used ones are:
can: Can I borrow your pen?
may: May I take this book?
might: It might be rain.
could: Could you tell me the way to market?
should: You should drink much water.
would: Would you mine me to sit this place?
will: I will change our plan because of my urgent task in my family.
must: You must study hard, else you fall exam.
Ex: Students, you may leave early today.
Ex: Could I play too?
Ex: Would you get that box off the top shelf?
Ex: Will you turn that music down?
Thank you.