Modals Refresher

Modals Refresher

Start

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Permission & Possibility

Can

ability, permission (neutral)

May

possibility (50/50), permission (formal)

Might

less certain possibility (≤50%)

Permission & Possibility

Can I leave early today? (permission, neutral)

May I leave early today? (permission, formal)

I can leave early today. (ability)

I may leave early today. (possible)

I might leave early today. (possible but less certain)

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Permission & Possibility

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Permission & Possibility

Ability & Politeness

Can

ability, informal requests

Could

past ability, polite request

Would

polite offers, hypothetical

Ability & Politeness

I can swim. (ability)

I could swim before my accident. (past ability)

Ability & Politeness

Can you send me the report? (informal request)

Could you send me the report? (polite request)

Would you mind sending me the report? (very polite request)

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Ability & Politeness

Ability & Politeness

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Ability & Politeness

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Obligation & Advice

Should

advice/recommandation

Must

obligation, strong necessity

Have to

necessity (less strong than must)

Obligation & Advice

You should proofread your email before sending it. (advice/recommandation)

You must send your report by Friday. (obligation)

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Fill the gap with the best modal:

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Fill the gap with the best modal:

Memory refreshed!