MODALS VERBS

FORMAL PERMISSION

MAY I come in?

MAY I make a suggestion?

MAY he ask a question?

TO SUGGEST A POSSIBILITY

It MAY rain this evening

They MAY be late

He MAY agree with you

FOR POSSIBILITY

The electrician MIGHT be finished by tomorrow

It MIGHT be bad weather tomorrow

Peter MIGHT come to the party

I CAN dance Tango

FOR ABILITY

She CAN'T sing

CAN you speak English?

FOR PERMISSION

CAN I sit here?

CAN we leave now?

CAN I play some music?

REQUESTS/SUGGESTIONS

CAN we have more coffee?

CAN I have the bill?

You CAN go wherever you like

PAST ABILITY

I COULD run 10km when I was younger

We COULD see the ocean from our room

I COULD see that Danny was angry

PERMISSION (POLITE)

COULD I have another coffee?

You COULD sit here if you like

COULD you repeat that again?

POSSIBILITY

This holidays COULD be very good

You COULD go to the hairdresser tomorrow

COULD this really be true?