Modal Verbs 1

Modal Verbs 1 – Ability, Possibility, Permission

The following modal verbs are discussed in this section:

Ability – Can and could

Possibility – Might, Could and May

Permission – Can, Could and May

As you can see, each of these verbs can be used in different ways.

Only might is used in one category only, possibility. Could is used in all three categories.

So, it is a useful place to start with learning modal verbs because these four verbs can be used in so many different ways.

We will go through each section (ability, possibility, permission) by showing how each verb is different and include some other phrases which can be used instead of these verbs.

Firstly, it is important to understand some things about modal verbs so that we do not make mistakes when using them.

Top tips for using Modal Verbs

Tip 1 – We do not use ‘to + verb’ after a modal verb!

Modal verbs are used with other verbs. However, we only use the ‘base’ form of the verb. For example:

“~~I can to help you tomorrow~~”. ⮽ I can help you tomorrow. ✅

This is the most common mistake when using modal verbs.

Tip 2 – Modal verbs do not change for different subjects like ‘normal’ verbs.

So, we do not add an ‘s’ for he/she/it and we do use ‘do/ does’ for questions or ‘don’t/ doesn’t for negatives’ or questions. For example:

“~~Do you can help me tomorrow?”~~ ⮽ Can you help me tomorrow. ✅

Can and Could for Ability (and … be able to)

We use can for describing abilities in the present, for example:

I can swim but not very well.
I can’t cook at all.
I cannot drive.
I can fix that.

Note – for negatives, cannot is more formal and is used in writing formal emails etc. Can’t is used for speaking and informal writing.

We use could for abilities in the past, these are generally no longer true. For example;

When I was young, I could run all day!
I couldn’t believe what he said!
I could only finish half of the report.
I could not accept the offer.

Can and could are generally used for present and past abilities. However, we may also use can to talk about the future, particularly for plans and things which we attend. For example:

I can’t come to the party next week because I will be on holiday.
I can help you tomorrow evening.
Can you give me a call later?
I can’t make it to the meeting, I’m stuck in traffic!

We can use (be) able to instead of can or could, with very little difference. For example: I can cook = I am able to cook. However, we generally use (be) able to for something in a specific situation, a once-off ability. For example:

“I got a flat tyre on my way to work but I ~~could~~ was able to fix it.”

We also MUST use (be) able to with all other tenses/ verb forms such as will/ infinitive/ gerund/ Present Perfect etc. For example:

I would love to be able to bake nice bread. (infinitive)
I enjoy being able to meet my friends. (gerund)
I have never been able to swim very well. (Present Perfect)
I don’t think we will be able to visit the museum today. (future-will)

Other phrases for ability

I managed to fix the problem before anyone noticed. (similar to ‘was able to’)

Might, Could and May for possibility

The modal verbs might, could and may can all be used to discuss possibilities in the present and future. There is very little difference between using these verbs for future and present possibilities. For example:

It might rain later = It could rain later = It may rain later

There is very little difference between these sentences. However, it is also important to note that:

May is more formal than might or could.

It mightn’t happen this week. Vs It may not happen this week.

We generally contract might not into mightn’t but we cannot contract may not.

I mightn’t go to the party. Vs I may not go to the party.

We cannot use couldn’t in the same way as mightn’t or may not, because couldn’t means that something is impossible.

He couldn’t be there yet. (this is impossible) vs He mightn’t be there yet (it’s unlikely)

See the examples below for how might, could and may all describe possibilities.

Positive sentences

She might not like the present.
He could be sick.
We may not be back in time.

Negative sentences

They mightn’t agree with you.
He may not want to do that.
It could be in the bedroom.

Questions (Note – it is very unusual to use ‘May’ in questions because it sounds like we are asking for permission to do something, politely, see the next section)

Might it be a mistake?
Could they win the tournament?

Other phrases for possibility include:

He is bound to win. It is very like he will win, stronger than can/ could.
It is (un)likely that he will leave. Stronger (or weaker) than can/ could.

Note how both of these phrases are adjectives and used after (be).

Can, Could and May for permission/ requests

When we are giving or asking someone for permission to do something we use can, could or may. For example:

Can I open a window? ………….. Yes, you can open a window.
Could I borrow your pen? ………. Yes, of course you can.
May I sit here? …………………….. Yes, you may.

Although we can use all three modal verbs to ask for permission to do something, it is also important to note that:

May is more formal than can, similar to possibility.

Can I ask you a question? (informal) Vs May I ask you a question? (formal)

We do not use could when giving permission, we use can or may instead. This is because it sounds like we are talking about possibilities, rather than permission.

~~You could borrow my car if you like.~~ ⮽ You can borrow my car if you like ✅

Other phrases for permission/ requests include: