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Questions and Answers
What is the correct usage of could in the present tense?
What is the main difference between may and might?
What is the main difference between can and could?
What is the negative form of may in the present tense?
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I _______ speak French, but I'm not fluent.
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According to the company's policy, you _______ attend the meeting.
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If I had more time, I _______ learn how to play the guitar.
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The doctor said I _______ take some rest for a few days.
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The teacher said we _______ use our phones during the exam.
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By the time I arrived, they _______ finished their project.
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The modal verb _____ is used to express necessity or obligation.
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The present tense of must is _____.
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You _____ attend the meeting, it's mandatory.
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This new smartphone is a _____-have for any tech enthusiast.
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She _____ be tired after working all night, given her schedule.
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I ____________________ speak English, but I need to improve my grammar.
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By next year, we ____________________ finish our project and start a new one.
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When I was a child, I ____________________ ride a bike without training wheels.
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You ____________________ go to the movies tonight if you finish your homework.
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It ____________________ snow tomorrow, so we should bring warm clothes.
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According to the weather forecast, it ____________________ rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
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Study Notes
Ability and Possibility
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Can:
- Used to express ability or capacity
- Present tense: I can speak French
- Past tense: I could speak French (but not anymore)
- Negative form: cannot (e.g. I cannot speak Japanese)
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Could:
- Used to express general ability or possibility
- Present tense: I could speak French if I practiced
- Past tense: I could have spoken French if I had practiced
Permission and Permission Requests
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May:
- Used to express permission or permission requests
- Present tense: You may go to the party
- Negative form: may not (e.g. You may not go to the party)
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Might:
- Used to express a possibility or permission in a more formal or polite way
- Present tense: You might go to the party
- Negative form: might not (e.g. You might not go to the party)
Obligation and Necessity
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Must:
- Used to express strong obligation or necessity
- Present tense: You must attend the meeting
- Negative form: must not (e.g. You must not be late)
-
Should:
- Used to express a recommendation or advice
- Present tense: You should attend the meeting
- Negative form: should not (e.g. You should not be late)
-
Shall:
- Used to express a formal obligation or necessity
- Present tense: You shall attend the meeting
- Negative form: shall not (e.g. You shall not be late)
Future and Conditional
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Will:
- Used to express future actions or predictions
- Present tense: I will attend the meeting tomorrow
- Negative form: will not (e.g. I will not attend the meeting tomorrow)
-
Would:
- Used to express a conditional or hypothetical situation
- Present tense: I would attend the meeting if I were you
- Negative form: would not (e.g. I would not attend the meeting if I were you)
Key Differences
- Can vs. Could: Can is used for general ability, while Could is used for specific situations or possibilities.
- May vs. Might: May is used for permission, while Might is used for possibilities or formal permission.
- Must vs. Should: Must is used for strong obligation, while Should is used for recommendations or advice.
- Will vs. Would: Will is used for future actions, while Would is used for conditional or hypothetical situations.
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Description
Test your understanding of the English grammar rules for 'can', 'could', and 'may', including their uses for ability, possibility, permission, and permission requests.
