Modal verbs allow us to ask and give permission.
- Can I go to the washroom?
- Could we have the key for the storage locker?
We use can, could, and may. It is good to keep in mind that may is quite formal and can is the least formal.
| Tense | Can | Could (*In + sentences, could and couldn’t are used for past of can) | May (no past form with permission) - Use (be allowed to) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present (positive and negative) |
You can (not) + verb He can (not) + verb She can (not) + verb It can (not) + verb We can (not) + verb They can (not) + verb |
You could (not) + verb He could (not) + verb She could (not) + verb We could (not) + verb They could (not) + verb |
You may(not) + verb He may (not) + verb She may (not) + verb We may (not) + verb They may (not) + verb |
| Present (questions) |
Can I + verb Can you + verb Can he + verb Can she + verb Can it + verb Can we + verb Can they + verb |
Could I + verb Could + verb Could he + verb Can she + verb Could it + verb Can we + verb Can they + verb |
May I + verb May we+ verb |
Take a look at these examples:
- May I be excused?
- Could they get some information, please?
- You may board the plane.
- *When I was younger, I couldn’t watch TV until I finished my homework.
Offers and Requests
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