Differences between
can, could, may and might
Do you have trouble differentiating between modal verbs? Learn how to use them correctly with this article. Remember that we also offer many free resources to our more than 30 million students
There are also difficulties in understanding the differences between can, could, may or might. Don’t worry, even native speakers have trouble seeing the differences too. But there are tricks to do it. Here we talk about it.
Differences between may and might
The basic difference is the degree of certainty between them. Whereas may is more likely, might indicates lower possibilities that something will happen.
This equivalence in Spanish may help you:
May: Maybe / Perhaps / It could be.
Might: It might be / It could be.
May and might are also used to ask for permission, but might is less common.
Examples:
- Brian may go to lunch with them. (Puede que Brian vaya a comer con ellos.)
- He might call me this week. (Podría llamarme esta semana.)
- May I have a pen? (¿Me das un bolígrafo?)
- Agent, might I ask you a question? (Agente, ¿puedo hacerle una pregunta?)
Differences between can and could
Can usually talks about ability and could can mean the past tense of can. But they are not only differentiated by verb tense.
Can and could can be used to ask for permission, but can is much more colloquial and could more formal and polite.
Examples:
- Can I please have some tea? (¿Puedo tomar un té, por favor?)
- Could you please show me another model? (¿Podría mostrarme otro modelo?)
- Can you help me, please? (¿Puede ayudarme, por favor?)
- Could you please open the door? (¿Podría abrir la puerta, por favor?)
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How to use could, might, may and must
| Must It must have been very scary. A war is terrible. (It must have been scary. A war is terrible.) | Very likely |
| May, might, could Today may rain. (Today it may rain.) This question might be impertinent. (This question might be impertinent.) That accident could have been a tragedy. (That accident could have been a tragedy.) | Somewhat possible |
| Can’t / Couldn’t John couldn’t have done this. (John couldn’t have done this.) Even if you try, you can’t hurt me. (Even if you try, you can’t hurt me.) | Almost impossible |
Exercise
- I have heard the phone. It _______ be my husband or it ________ be my mother.
- Can’t/ must
- Could/ can’t
- May/ could
2. The meeting_____ be canceled if the project doesn’t start.
- May
- Can’t
- Must
3. The sun is shining a lot. It ____________be hot out there!
- Must
- Could
- May
4. Brian _________ believes Vicky has eaten his sándwich again!
- Must
- Can’t
- May
5. Mathew can’t find his computer. Somebody _________ has stolen it.
- Can’t
- Might
- Must
6. No light. Lucy _______ be at home.
- Must
- Might
- Can’t
7. Bree ___________ have myopia. She doesn’t see road signs well.
- Might
- Must
- Can’t
8. Hector is unable to view the video on YouTube. It _________ be a problem with the WiFi.
- Can
- Might
- Must
9. Rose is late. She ________ miss the start of the lesson.
- Can’t
- Could
- Must
10. I’m not sure about the animal in the ad. It ______ be a wolf.
- Can’t
- Could
- Must
Results
- May/ could
- May
- Must
- May
- Must
- Can’t
- Must
- Must
- Could
- Could
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