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
To make offers and requests, we use the modal verbs will, would (you like to), could, can.
Offers
An offer is when we want to help someone or do something for someone.
| Tense | would + subject + like + to | can | may | will |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Would you like + verb/noun Would he like + verb/noun Would she like + verb/noun Would they like + verb/noun |
Can I + verb Can you + verb Can he + verb Can she + verb Can we + verb Can they + verb |
May I + verb May we + verb |
I’ll + verb You’ll + verb He’ll + verb She’ll + verb We’ll + verb They’ll + verb |
Take a look at these examples:
- Would he like to join our class? (offer to him)
- Can I bring you a blanket? (offer to you)
- May I help you? (offer to someone)
- I’ll carry those heavy bags for you! (offer to someone)
Requests
A request is something we want from someone, or something we need a person to do for us.
| Tense | can | could | may |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Can I + verb Can you + verb*** Can he + verb Can she + verb Can we + verb Can they + verb |
Could I + verb Could you + verb*** Could he + verb Could she + verb Could we + verb Could they + verb |
May I + verb May we + verb |
Take a look at these examples:
- Can I have a glass of water?
- Could you open a window?
- May I have a menu, please?
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.