CAN
1. It is used to express the ability to do something.
I can swim very well.
Can he can speak English fluently? - No, he can't.
We cannot sing at all!
2. It expresses the possibility to do something.
We can go to the seaside at last. Our holidays start next week.
3. We use it to say that something is probable.
It can be John. He has blond hair and he is wearing glasses.
4. It expresses the permission to do something.
Why not? You can marry her. She is a nice girl.
MAY
1. It is used for permissions.
You may borrow my car. I won't need it.
May I smoke here? - No, you can't, I'm sorry.
2. It is used to express probability or prediction.
They may call tomorrow. I hope so.
The main difference between may and can is in style. May is more formal than can. Can is typical of spoken English.
3. The opposite of may is must not or may not.
May I smoke here?
- You mustn't smoke here. (strong prohibition)
- You may not smoke here. (more polite, very formal)
- You can't smoke here. (informal spoken English)
MUST
1. It is used for strong obligations. It is personal, because it expresses the speaker's opinion or will.
I must clean my teeth. I want to be healthy.
You must go there. And do it right now!
2. It means a strong recommendation.
You must see it. It's the best film I've ever seen.
3. We use it to show the certainty of the speaker.
They must be at school by now. It's already 9 o'clock.
4. The opposite of must is need not.
Mum, must I wash up? - No, you needn't. I've already done it.
Must not has a different meaning. It is used to express prohibition that involves the speaker's will.
We mustn't come late today. Or the teacher will be very angry.
He mustn't enter this room. It is dangerous.
Exercise 1 :
This car ............ be expensive. It's five years old. (can)
You ................. hurry. We have plenty of time. (must)
I am afraid I ................ help you now. (can)
Well, I don't know. He .............. like it. (may)
I ................. play the piano. (can)
You .................. wash up today. (must)
You must try hard. You ............ give it up. (may)
She ............. go out on Monday. (can)
For more exercises , visit : http://www.e-grammar.org/modal-verbs-can-may-must/
Exercise 2 :
1. George has travelled a lot. He ............. speak many languages.
2. I can hear you quite well. You ............ not shout.
3. I´m not sure where I will go for my holidays but I ............go to Italy.
4. She .............. ride her bike at night without lights. It's not allowed.
5. She ............... not eat so much chocolate because it's bad for her figure.
6. I ................. understand him.He should speak louder.
7. It's later than I thought. I ...................... go now.
8. You ................. a better trainer if you want to improve yourself.
9. Talk to Ann about your problems. I'm sure she ..................... help you.
10. You .................... not vacuum the carpets, Carol has already done it.
11. You ...................... be tired because you have worked very hard.
12. He ........................ come to my party because he is ill.
13. He ....................... go to the dentist when he has toothache.
14. It's not very important. You ................ not do it now. You ............ do it tomorrow.
15. .................. you speak many languages?
16. I don't know what I'm doing this weekend but I .................... go to London.
17. Smoking is very unhealthy. You .................... stop it.
18. Playing football ......................... in this park.
19. You have got plenty of time. You ...................... not hurry.
20. You .................... have a passport to visit most foreign countries.
2. I can hear you quite well. You ............ not shout.
3. I´m not sure where I will go for my holidays but I ............go to Italy.
4. She .............. ride her bike at night without lights. It's not allowed.
5. She ............... not eat so much chocolate because it's bad for her figure.
6. I ................. understand him.He should speak louder.
7. It's later than I thought. I ...................... go now.
8. You ................. a better trainer if you want to improve yourself.
9. Talk to Ann about your problems. I'm sure she ..................... help you.
10. You .................... not vacuum the carpets, Carol has already done it.
11. You ...................... be tired because you have worked very hard.
12. He ........................ come to my party because he is ill.
13. He ....................... go to the dentist when he has toothache.
14. It's not very important. You ................ not do it now. You ............ do it tomorrow.
15. .................. you speak many languages?
16. I don't know what I'm doing this weekend but I .................... go to London.
17. Smoking is very unhealthy. You .................... stop it.
18. Playing football ......................... in this park.
19. You have got plenty of time. You ...................... not hurry.
20. You .................... have a passport to visit most foreign countries.
If you want more exercises , visit this site too :
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