Dire © possibilty (oresent/future) ‘may/might/could + present infinitive = It Is possibleft is ikely/perhaps ‘She mayimighticould stil be at work.) (= It's possible that she's still at work.) possibity (past) may/mighticould + perfect infinitive itwas possible, perhaps 1) We use these structures to refer to a past action which was possibly true. 2g. ‘The lights are still on." ‘Helen mayimighticould have forgotten to tum them off” (Perhaps Helen forgotihas Iorgotten to turn thom oft) 'b) We also use them to refer to things which were possible but did not happen. May is not normally used in this case. e.g. Wny aia you run across ine roa? You might/could have been killed. (Luckily, you weren't killed.) Study the following negative sentences: ) She mayimight not know about these changes. (Perhaps she doesn't know about the changes. + expresses possibly.) She can'ticouldn’t know about these changes. (itis certain that she doesn't know. - expresses certainty.) b) He maymight not have left yet. (Perhaps he hasn't lft yet. - expresses possibilty) He can'ticouldn't have left yet. (Im certain that he hasn't left yet. - certainty.) xpresses Mo. © asking permission ‘May/Might I...? = Would you mind if | ..? We use these structures to ask permission when we do not know the other person very well. ‘May/Might ask you another| {L question? Study the following examples: e.g. ‘Can I take this book?” ‘Yes, of course.’ (informal) ‘Could | talk to you for a minute?” “Cortainly." (more polite than can) © giving/retusing permission 8) may/can = you are allowed to do sth ‘We use may and can, but not might or could, to alve permission. May is very formal and Is not used in everyday speech. 2g. You can sit here it you lke. (everyday speech) Passengers may take only one item of hand luggage on board. (writen notice) Note: We use Could /.? to ask permission, and can or may, but not could, to reply. e.g. ‘Could I leave a little earlier?” "Yes, you can. Yes, you may. ») can'timay nat = you are not allowed to do sth We use can't and may not, but not couldn't, to retuze permission. ¢g. Stidents may not wear outdoor shoes on the basketball cour. (= Students aren alowed.) {im sony, but you can't park here. (NOT: +er-eenry-but-you-eotide-tparthere:). © requests: May/Might/Can/Could | ..2 We use these structures to ask for something politely. Might |..? 's more formal than May !...? ‘and Is not often (May/Can/Could] It have a pen and some paper, please? 63rbs hy we es eens co ner vo oe nent Perhaps Laura has left the phone off the hook. ...Laurs may/might/could have lett the phone off the hook. ‘Surgeons are obliged to scrub their hands before operating on patients. Do you mind if| open the window? wasn't necessary for Peter to wash the dog, so he didn't. Emily managed to reach the top shel, even though she didn't have a ladder... It's forbidden to copy files without the manager's permission. Why don't we spend this evening at home? {'m certain Patrick misunderstood my instructions. 9. I'm sure Helen didn't know about her surprise party. eyoasens Perhaps she is a nurse. ‘She may be a nurse. Its possible he will come eariy. He might come early. Pemaps they are having a break. Iney could be having a break. I's likely we will be moving house soon. __ We may be moving house soon. Perhaps he left vesterdav. He miaht have left vesterday. Its possible she has locked the door. She could have locked the door. It's likely he had gone out. He may have gone out. to possible they were eleeping. ‘Thoy might have been oleeping. Perhaps it has been raining there. It could have been raining there. Rephrase the following sentences in as : may wape’as pees’ eo Underline the correct word(s) In bold. Really. Well! 4) Do I have to/Shall | pay in cash? 5 I's possible they made a mistake. ‘No, you §) mustn'tineedn't pay in cash, You They 6) eould/ean't pay by credit card if you prefer. 1 Perhaps they are at work ‘A: Good morning. How 1) can/must | help you. si? They ...may/might/could be at work. BI like to book a room ior tonight, please. 2 Perhaps he is waiting outside A: Certainly si. He B: How much does a single room cost for one night? 3. Its possible she will work late tonight ‘A: £35, sir. Payable in advance she B: What! 2) Do I have fo/Could | pay right now? 4 It's kely he was driving too fast. ‘A: Yes, 'm afraid you 3) needimust pay in advance, si He 8 x 6 Perhaps he has missed the bus. Bs This isa bit unusual. 17) may/must look in my wal He z let to see if | have enough cash with me. 7 Ws possible she nas been playing inthe snow. ‘A: You 8) couldn tidon't have to huny, si. Take your tie. she 8 Its likely we will be leaving tomorow ~ a A: Good moming. Here's the key. 9) Could/Must | leave 9 Is tkely he wil stay there. my luggage here until twelve o'clock, please? He — 8: Ofcourse. 10) May/Need | ask tf you enjoyed your stay”? 10 Perhaps che had been trying to call you A: Oh yes. 111) canimust write down the phone num She . bor, so that can stay here again. 11 It's likely hey had seen the film already. 8: You 12) mustn'tidon’t need to do that, si. 13) have They tolcan give you our card 12 Ws posse heis studying inthe ‘A: Oh, thank you very much. Goodbye. He... vs sesncanenney B: Goodbye.© otters ‘Shall/Can/Could | ..2 = Would you like me to ..? We use these structures when we offer to do ‘something. (- Can/Coutd/Shait | help you choose Mary's present? © suggestions ‘Shall/Can/Could we ..2 = Why don't we...2/ How about ..2/What about ..2/Let’s ... We use these structures to make a suggestion. We can/could go to the theatre. © requests WillWould/Can/Could you..? ‘We use these structures when we ask somebody else to do something for us. Would and could are Compare the following examples: wy. Can/Wit you pust this eller? (informal, feos porte than could or would) Could/Would you post this letter? (more polite than ‘can or will) We often reply with: Yes, 'd (would) bo happylgiad to.’ or Certainly.” eg. Can you call Jack for me?" ‘Conainly Should/Ought to © savce ‘should/ought to = | advise you to/you had better do sth (=I advise you to/ You had better be more careful) Compare: You should taik to your lawyer. (= It would be 00d idea to...) You must talk to your lawyer. (= | strongly advise you to...) © criticism Ought to/should + perfect infinitive = It would have been better if you had... We use these (.. but you didn't, so your team lost) @ worn 1. ..Shall help you with the washing-up? 2 we have pizza for dinner tonight? 3 srmmmnnennnennenes YOU Catty this for me, please? 4 What ‘we buy for Bob's birthday? 65