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GR May2

This document provides examples of different uses of modal verbs of ability and permission such as can, may, could, and examples of sentences using these modal verbs. The document categorizes the different uses into expressing ability, asking for permission, giving permission, refusing permission, and making requests. It then provides a practice exercise for students to identify which category a sentence belongs to and fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb.

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Aimed Eiram Tan
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26 views

GR May2

This document provides examples of different uses of modal verbs of ability and permission such as can, may, could, and examples of sentences using these modal verbs. The document categorizes the different uses into expressing ability, asking for permission, giving permission, refusing permission, and making requests. It then provides a practice exercise for students to identify which category a sentence belongs to and fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb.

Uploaded by

Aimed Eiram Tan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modal 

Verbs of Ability and Permission Exercise 

Check through the different uses. 

TYPE  USE  MODAL VERBS  EXAMPLE 


1  expressing ability  CAN  María can drive. 
2  asking for permission  MAY, CAN, COULD  Could I borrow your pen? 
3  giving permission  MAY, CAN  You can use my phone. 
4  refusing permission, prohibition  CAN'T, MAY NOT  You may not talk in the exam 
5  requests  CAN, COULD  Can you pass me the salt? 

Look at the following phrases and write in which type you think it is. Then use one of the modal 
verbs in brackets to fill the gaps. 

TYPE 

1  5  You (may/could)............................... leave now if you wish. 

2  5  (Could/May)............................... you open the window a bit, please? 

3  5  (May/Can)............................... you play the piano? 

4  5  Listen, please. You (may not/could not)............................... speak during this 
exam. 

5  5  You (can't/might not)............................... smoke on the bus. 

6  5  (Can't/May)............................... I make a call on your mobile? 

7  5  Do you know if Mark (can/may) ............................... sing? 

8  5  (Can't/May)............................... I sit here, please? 

9  5  Caroline, your friends (can/could)............................... stay the night if they want 
to. They're perfectly welcome. 

10  5  I'm sorry but you (can't/may)............................... use the computer until after 
I've finished. 

11  5  (May/Could)............................... you lend me 40 Euros til Monday? 

12  5  Listen, please. Students (may/could)............................... study in the library 
from five to nine in the evening.

www.autoenglish.org  Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007 
Answers 

1  TYPE 3 You may leave now if you wish. 
2  TYPE 5 Could you open the window a bit, please? 
3  TYPE 1 Can you play the piano? 
4  TYPE 4 Listen, please. You may not speak during this exam. 
5  TYPE 4 You may not smoke on the bus. 
6  TYPE 2 May I make a call on your mobile? 
7  TYPE 1 Do you know if Mark can sing? 
8  TYPE 2 May I sit here, please? 
9  TYPE 3 Caroline, your friends can stay the night if they want to. They're perfectly welcome. 
10  TYPE 4 I'm sorry but you can't use the computer until after I've finished. 
11  TYPE 5 Could you lend me 40 Euros til Monday? 
12  TYPE 3 Listen, please. Students may study in the library from five to nine in the evening.

www.autoenglish.org  Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007 

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