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Grammar (Subject) / modal verbs (Lesson)

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• to suggest something is possible formal     may
• to suggest a small possibility of something more usual       might
• a small possibility in the past       might have   He might have tried to call while I was out
• something to do when there is no better alternative: I... as well go shopping - I've got nothing else to do.     might and may
• annoyance: You... at least say you're sorry!     might / could
• to talk about possibility to talk about ability ask for and give permission for offers, requests and instructions       can
• use with see, hear, feel, smell, taste to talk about something which is happening now       can
• use the negative form for deduction: You ... be hungry. You've just eaten.       can't
• is the past form of can       could
• to make polite requests to suggest a small possibility of something if we use it to reply a request, it suggests that we do not really want to do it: I ... help you if it's really necessary.       could
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• past possibility which did not happen: we... have won the game, but Joe missed a penalty.     might / could
• to express concession: He ... have failed his degree, but he's earning much more than me.       may / might
• a formal offer: ... I be of assistance?       may
• a informal offer: ...I carry that for you?       can
• in the negative form; to express certainty: She... be more than about 20 years old.       can't / couldn't
• ask for permission: ...I open the window?     can / could
• a formal permission: ...I ask a personal question?     may
• ability or inability: I ... understand some Italian, but I ... speak it very well.       can / can't
• to express criticism: She ... say some very hurtful things sometimes.       can
• to express prohibition: No, you ... go to the party ond saturday.       can't
• ability or inability in the past: My grandfather ... play the piano.       could / couldn't
• to talk about an ability to do something on one occasion in the past, we don't use could. We use... instead: I...to speak to Frank last night.     managed to   was / were able to   succeeded in
• to express permission or prohibition in the past: when I was at school the boys... wear earrings, but the girls...       couldn't / could
• permission to do something on one occasion in the past, ... has to be used: I ... to leave work early yesterday.     was allowed to   be allowed to

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