University of CaraboboSchool of Education

Modern Languages DeparmentEnglish Grammar

ESPINOZA MAURICIOGUTIERREZ JEAN FRANK

ROSENDO WILFREDORODRIGUEZ DIANA

July, 2010

AbilityE.g. Louis can play soccer as a pro

E.g. Penguins can’t fly

E.g. Janice can do gymnasticspretty well

Cannot / Can’t

Giving or askingPermission

Making requestsE.g. Can you close the window, please?

E.g. Can I stay up late?

E.g. Yes, you can.

In requests, it’s possible to use CAN with “you”But NO with MAY.

E.g. May you help me (WRONG) E.g. Can you help me

E.g. Can you pass me the salt Kelsey?

Reported and indirect speech

= Mark asked Kelsey if she could pass himthe salt

Permission

E.g. Where’s Lee?. R- I don’t know. He MAY be in

playing in his room.

Possibility

E.g. May I close the door?Ans- Yes, you may.

E.g. MAYBE she’s worried

E.g. She MAY BE worried

MAYBE + Subject+ verb + C

Subject + MAY BE + verb + C

Only a PossibilityS + MAY + HAVE + Pp of the verb

E.g. He may have gone home

MAYBE + sub + verb (past) + C

E.g. Maybe he went home

E.g. Bob: May I join you?

R-S: Bob asked if he might join us.

E.g. Yes, you may borrow ouyr bote.R-S: Ted told me that I might borrow is bote