2- modal verbs: may, might and could. Probability/ possibility.

Modal verbs:

2- Probability/Possibility:

1- Possibility:

We use may, might and could to say that something is possible, but not certain:

They may come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.)
They might be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.)
If we don't hurry, we could be late. (= Maybe we will be late.)

We use can to make general statements about what is possible:

It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.)
You can easily get lost in this town. (= People often get lost in this town.)

Be careful!
We do not use can to talk about specific events: A: Where's John? B: I'm not sure. He may/might/could be (NOT can) in his office. Notice the difference in meaning between can and may/might/could: That dog can be dangerous. (= Sometimes that dog is dangerous. I know.) That dog may/might/could be dangerous. (= Perhaps that dog is dangerous. I don't know.)

can and may/might/could

1- We use may have, might have or could have to make guesses about the past:

I haven't received your letter. It may have got lost in the post.
It's ten o'clock. They might have arrived by now.
Where are they? They could have got lost.

We use could to make general statements about the past:

It could be very cold there in winter. (= It was sometimes very cold there in winter.)
You could easily get lost in that town. (= People often got lost in that town.)

could and could have

*Impossiblity:

1- We use can't or cannot to say that something is impossible:

That can't be true.
You cannot be serious.

3- We use can't have or couldn't have to say that a past event  was impossible:

They know the way here. They can't have got lost!
If Jones was at work until six, he couldn't have done the murder.

*we use may to ask if you are allowed to do something and to tell someone they are allowed to do something.

*Examples:

1- May I go out to play now? yes, you may.

2-May I borrow your pen ? 

3- Please, May I see your ticket?

4-May mary come with us to the movies?

* Use may and might to talk about things that are possible or likely:

Examples:

1- Take an umbrella. It might rain.

2-I may not have time to go swimming tonight.

3-We might go to the party later.

4-If you are not carefull you might hurt yorself.

5- Are you Going to the concert ? I dont know, I Might or Might Not.

Grammar:

1-Tell whether each sentence below uses may or may not correctly.

Show a correct use with a checkmark or an icorrect use with an X:

1-Andrew may not go out to play now because he has finished his homework.

2- Take an umbrella. It may not Rain.

3-Please may we not watch TV now?

4-You May not hurt yourself  With that Knife.

5- I may come out to play later if I am feeling better.

6-They are late. The bus may not have broken down.

7- May I read the story you are written ? yes you may not.

8- May annie stay for Dinner ? Yes, she may.

*Q AND A SESSION.

*SEND AN E MAIL WITH THE CLASS.

*SEND A  VIDEO OF YOUTUBE WITH THE CLASS.

*SEEE YOU NEXT CLASS!

#TEACHERPAM :)