Modal verbs are those that characterize duties, opportunities, desires and the need for action. They directly convey the attitude of the speaker to what is happening.
Despite the fact that modal verbs are strong and do not need the use of an auxiliary verb, when building interrogative and negative sentences, they cannot be used on their own without a semantic verb:

I cannot fly. - I can not fly.
You may go. - You can go.

IN English language modal verbs are used independently only when they make up a short answer, or the meaning of the statement is clear from the previous context in which semantic (weak) verbs are used:

- Can you read this?
- I can.

Most people cannot run as fast as animals, but some can.

In English for expression possibilities / impossibilities or abilities / inability to do something, two modal verbs are most commonly used - can And May.

They do not change in persons and numbers, as evidenced by the absence of an ending -s- in the present simple tense, do not have all the usual forms for weak verbs (for example, the ending -ing) and do not require the help of an auxiliary verb do/do/did.

Can vs. May

Can And May have meaning in Russian be able / be able / allow. It should be noted right away that in most cases they are not interchangeable. The following statement is written on the image accompanying the article illustration:

Do as you may if you can't do as you could.

This aphorism uses three modal verbs at once, and all three will have different shades of meaning. The sentence itself is translated as follows:

Do what you are allowed to do if you are forbidden to do what you could.

There are certain criteria for choosing one or another verb.

Can has two forms in English - present tense and past tense could, which will also be used in the subjunctive.
However, in English it is possible to use the modal verb can in the future tense. In this case, it will be replaced by an equivalent verb to be able to do smth.

I can read English.-Present Simple
He thought he could do it alone.- Past Simple
I wish I could see it.
He told me he could have seen it earlier.- Perfect

She will be able to finish the painting in Summer.- Future

May used in English in the present tense and past might, which can also be found in subjunctive sentences.

May I come in?-Present Simple
They might come yesterday.- Past Simple
He might be at home.- Subjunctive mood (subjunctive mood)

Use of Can and May

Modal verb can has a wider range of uses compared to the verb May.

1. For expression ability or ability to do something use can:

I can swim. Can you?

2. Can also used to denote possibilities(theoretical or according to some rules):

You can find it in any dictionary.
Russian Railways can chage the fares seasonally.- Russian Railways may change tariffs depending on the season.

3. When banned used for something cannot (can't). You can also meet with prohibitions May, but they will sound too “soft”:

You cannot talk too loud in the library. You can't speak loudly in the library.
You may not talk loudly in the library. You are not allowed to speak loudly in the library.

4. Request can be expressed through can or could. The latter in this case will have emphasized courtesy:

Can you pass me some butter?
Could you pass me some butter?

5. When expressing surprise in interrogative sentences or reproach the narration often uses a modal verb can. Its form could will reflect the extreme degree of the state:

How can you be so rude?- How can you be so rude?
You could tell me in the end.- After all, you could tell me!

6. Cannot (can't) used to denote strong distrust:

She can't work there.- She can't work there.
They couldn't have done it.- They just couldn't do it.

Please note that in almost all cases of use could, the verb underlines exaggerated attitude speaking to current events.

In situations where you ask permission to do something can be used both modal verbs. Offers from May at the same time they will sound more formally:

You can come in.- You can come in.
You may have come in.- Come in./ You can come in.

Modal verbs may/might contain character speaker's uncertainty about the events described. As with could, the past form might transmits greater degree of uncertainty:

Somebody's calling. It may be Mary.- Someone's calling. Maybe it's just Mary.
It may rain. Take an umbrella.- It can start raining. Take an umbrella.

Modal verb May most often used in particularly polite treatment:

May I sit down?- Can I sit down? / May I sit down?
Can I sit down? would rather be translated “May I sit down?”

Often might used in the expression reproach. The proposal sounds particularly poignant:

You might have told me beforehand.- I could have warned you in advance.

In this article, we started a big important topic on modal verbs and talked about two of them. In future publications, we will definitely try to highlight the remaining representatives of this category.

We wish you to be able to master this grammar material! May success be with you!

Victoria Tetkina

May And might are modal verbs that have many interesting qualities. In some cases they can replace each other, in others they can act as a form of the present and past tenses, in others they can have a completely different meanings. May And might sometimes cause difficulties for English learners, so in this article we will talk about the difference between them and analyze in detail the cases of their use.

Features of modal verbs may and might

To begin with, we propose to understand how sentences are built with May And might, because such proposals have several distinguishing features.

In affirmative sentences after May And might we use the infinitive without the particle to. In questions May And might must be placed before the subject. IN negative sentences we add to May/might particle not. into Russian May/might most often translated by the words "can", "could".

I might go. - I could go.

May she enter the room? - She Maybe enter the room?

I may not come. - I can not come.

Pay attention to one feature: in denial may not no shortened form.

We may not may not be at home today. - Us may not be today at home.

Negation might not may be reduced mightn't however, this form is rare.

It might rain today mightn't it? - It might rain today. is not it?

Consider other features of modal May And might:

1. Might is the past tense form of the verb May, But might also used as an independent modal verb.
2. At May And might there are general functions and there are private ones: in some cases we can only use May, in others only might.
3. WITH May And might we can use the regular infinitive ( May/might do), long ( May/might be doing) and perfect ( May/might have done). Regular infinitive ( May/might do) indicates an action in the present or future, long-term - a long-term action in the present or future, perfect - an action in the past.

Also, in different functions, there may be specific features of the use of infinitives. We will talk about them further.

Well, now let's see how May And might used in speech.

When we use the modal verbs may and might

To begin with, we will consider cases where both verbs can be used − May And might. Here they are:

1. Possibility, uncertainty- probability, uncertainty.

   The most important function May/might is a probability. In this function May shows more confidence than might. In translation into Russian, we will use the words "to be able", "maybe", "should be", "maybe".

   This function has one peculiarity: we can use a long ( May/might be doing) and perfect ( May/might have done) infinitives to describe actions in the present, past and future. Regular infinitive ( May/might do) works according to standard rules: it shows the present or the future. You can observe this feature in the cases listed below, since probability and uncertainty can manifest themselves in different ways:

   • We describe a typical situation or talk about a well-known fact.
     

     A driver may fall asleep if he doesn't stop every two hours. - Driver can fall asleep unless it stops every 2 hours.

     The flowers might have faded if I hadn't watered them regularly. - Flowers could wither if I didn't water them regularly.

   • We make a guess about what might be true. As a rule, in this case we are not very sure of our words.
     

     – Where is Ken? - Where is Ken?
     – No idea. He may be in the kitchen. - Don't know, May be, in the kitchen.

     He might not have been at the concert. - Maybe, his did not have at the concert.

   • Nothing prevents us from doing or not doing something. The circumstances are such that we can do something.
     

     We may go out tonight or we may not. – Maybe, We let's go for a walk tonight, a maybe we won't go.

     I might not answer the phone as I'll be sleeping in the afternoon. - I I can not answer on the phone, as I will sleep during the day.

   • We talk about our possible plans or intentions. Here May/might usually used with the continuous infinitive.
     

     Don't call me at midday. I might be having lunch at this time. Don't call me at noon. I I can dine at that time.

     I may be going to Switzerland soon. - May be, I I'm leaving to Switzerland soon.

   And now a little life hack: if we can replace May/might word perhaps(maybe), so we're talking about probability.

   He might not have been at the concert. = Perhaps he was not at the concert. - Maybe, he was not at the concert.

   I May be going to Switzerland soon. = Perhaps I'm going to Switzerland soon. - May be I will leave for Switzerland soon.

2. Request, asking for permission- a request, a request for permission.

   According to the rules of classical grammar, we use May/might when we want to politely address someone with a request or ask permission to do something. However, in spoken English, native speakers increasingly use the modal verb in this function. May/might preferable can in a formal context. Also in this sense might more "polite" verb than May.

   May I show you the papers, sir? - Can I show you the papers, sir?

   Sorry to bother you, Mr. Smith. Might I have a day-off tomorrow? “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Smith. Can i Should I take tomorrow off?

3. Design May/might as well.

   Expression May/might as well used in such cases:

   • when we have to do something because we have no other choice;
   • if there is no difference what to do.

   This expression implies the idea that it is better to do this than to do nothing at all. There are several translation options: “nothing (other) remains (how)”, “why not”, “it is possible and”, “quite possibly”, “at least it is possible”. It should be noted that the combination might as well occurs more frequently than May as well.

   We've missed our train. We might as well wait for the next one. - We missed the train. Nothing else is left but wait for the next one.

   Are you leaving now? - Are you leaving now?
   – I don't know. I might as well. - Don't know. It is possible and Now.

   There is nothing to do here. I May as well go somewhere else. - There's nothing to do here. Quite possible I'll go somewhere else.

4. Design May/might not ... but.

   We use the construction May/might not ... but when we want to highlight some good quality in a person or thing. This construction is usually translated by the words "could not..., if not...", "wouldn't be, if not...".

   These memoirs may not be a masterpiece, but the author's life experience is invaluable. - These memoirs would not be masterpiece if not invaluable experience of the author.

   This girl might not have become famous singer, but her voice was beautiful. - This girl might not have been famous singer, if not her beautiful voice.

We got acquainted with the general functions of verbs May And might. Now we will consider each of them separately.

When is the modal verb may used?

Some tasks modal May did not want to share might. Let's figure out which ones.

1. Permission and prohibition- permission and prohibition.

   We use modal verb May if we allow or allow someone to do something. To disable an action, we add to May negative particle not. It should be noted that May And may not in this meaning are often found in formal speech. We also use this modal verb when talking to a stranger, boss or subordinate. into Russian May usually translated by the word "may", may not- "must not", "should not", "forbidden".

   You may eat only one ice-cream at a time. - You can you eat only one ice cream at a time.

   Mr. Hicks, you may participate in the debate on Saturday. – Mr Hicks, you you can take part in the debate on Saturday.

   Customers may not enter this room. – Buyers forbidden to enter to this room.

   You may not play football on the grass. - You should not play football on the grass.

2. Wishes- wishes.

   By using May we can express our wishes to someone. In this case May becomes the beginning of a sentence. We will translate the modal verb into Russian with the word “let”.

   May this marriage brings you a lot of joy and happiness. - Let this marriage will bring you much joy and happiness.

   May all your wishes come true. - Let all your wishes will come true.

3. Certainty- confidence.

   If we believe that some action is very likely to happen, if we are almost sure of it, we can add to May adverb well. Such a combination will be translated by the words "probably", "quite possibly".

   He may well take a taxi not to wait for a bus. - He, will probably take taxi so as not to wait for the bus.

   Adam may well not want to go to the hospital with us. – Adam may well not want come with us to the hospital.

When is the modal verb might used?

At might also has its own tasks in English. Let's see what functions this modal verb performs.

1. Policy advice- polite advice.

   Might as an independent modal verb, it is used to politely give advice or make a suggestion about something. Most often in such cases might goes with the words: like(like, want) prefer(prefer) or want(want).

   You might like to try one of our wonderful desserts. - You, maybe you want try one of our wonderful desserts.

   You might prefer a cheaper accommodation. It will help you save some money. - Maybe, You prefer cheaper housing. This will save you money.

2. Action that never happened- an unforeseen action.

   Verb might shows an action that could have happened but didn't. At the same time, for might followed by the perfect infinitive ( have done). Often this feature indicates that the speaker is unhappy that something has not been done. This construction is translated as "could".

   He might have eaten a jar of jam if he hadn't been full. - He could eat a jar of jam if I wasn't full.

   You might have washed the dishes! - I could wash dishes!

3. Hardly possible situation- an unlikely situation.

   When we say that some situation is possible, we use and May, And might. But if we are talking about a situation that is impossible or unlikely, then we should use might. To understand whether the situation before us is real or not, the context helps us: something would have happened if some circumstances had not interfered. Often used to express this function. We will translate into Russian might as "could".

   Alice might come here tonight, but she is working till late. – Alice could come today, but she works late.

   I might finish my report if you didn't ask me stupid questions. - I could finish report if you didn't ask me stupid questions.

   If it hadn't been so hot yesterday, we might have gone somewhere. If it hadn't been so hot yesterday, we would go somewhere.

4. typical situation in the past - a typical situation in the past.

   Verb might can be used in situations where we want to communicate that some action was habitual, typical or common in the past. Usually in such cases we mention that the action took place a long time ago. Although we are talking about an action in the past, might will be used with the regular infinitive ( might do).

   During the Middle Ages a girl might get married at the age of 12. – In the Middle Ages young woman could get married at the age of 12.

   Years ago you might see just a couple of cars in the street. - Many years ago on the streets could be seen just a couple of cars.

5. Verb Substitute May.

   When coordinating tenses and in indirect speech, we will use might, even if according to the rules it should be May.

   Action in the present	Action in the past
   Caroline isn't talking to Rick. They May/might have had an argument. Caroline not talking with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.	Caroline wasn't talking to Rick. They might have had an argument. Caroline didn't talk with Rick. Maybe, they quarreled.
   Direct speech	Indirect speech
   Our coach told us, “You may stay up a little bit later tonight.” Our coach said us: "You you can go to sleep a little later today."	Our coach told us that we might stay up a little bit later tonight. Our coach said us that we we can go to sleep a little later today.

Usually, for English learners, the notorious perfect infinitive causes the most difficulties. Let's watch a video in which we will be told about the cases of using the perfect infinitive and other subtleties May And might.

And to finally fix the topic and understand how well you navigate it, take our test.

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Test

Modal verbs may and might in English

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InformationI

Modal verbs do not denote the action itself, but indicate the attitude of the speaker towards it. Key Features modal verbs are that they:

1) require after themselves the infinitive of the semantic verb without the particle “to”: I can do this;

2) form an interrogative and negative form without an auxiliary verb: Can you help me? - No, I cannot (I can't);

3) the verbs "can" and "may" have only the present and past tenses, the verb "must" has only the present tense. Modal verbs do not form complex verbal forms;

4) do not change either in persons or in numbers: He can speak English;

5) do not have impersonal forms (infinitive, gerund, participle).

exercise 1

Fill in the gaps with the verbs "can», « May», « mustand check a friend

1. All the students … go home because there will be no meeting after classes.

2. He can help you as he is not busy now.

3. My son … skate well.

5. I am sorry, I … leave. At 5 o'clock I shall have a lecture.

6. When must you come to the lessons? We must come to the lessons at 8.

7. I … not go to the club today. I have no time.

8. There are children in this room. You must not smoke here.

9. …I open the window? Yes, you….

10. You are free and may go home.

InformationII

The verb "can" (past tense "could") expresses the physical or mental ability to perform the action expressed by the infinitive. “Can” is translated into Russian by the forms of the verbs “to be able” and “to be able”:

In the meaning of the verb "can", as well as instead of its missing forms, the combination "to be able" + infinitive with the particle "to" can be used:

I shall be able to come to see you tomorrow.

I can come to you tomorrow.

I was able (= could) to do this.

I was able to do it.

I am able (= can) to do this.

I can do it.

exercise 1

Complete the sentences according to this model and check your friend:

Model: I can't help you now, but I'll be able to do it tomorrow.

1. I cannot come today, but ….

2. They can't swim now, but they'll be able to do it next month.

3. I can't talk to her tonight, but ….

4. You can't take my book today, but you'll be able to do it tomorrow.

5. She can't cook dinner today, but ….

6. I can't lend you any money this month, but I'll be able to do it next month.

7. He can't go to the country this Sunday, but ….

8. We can't help you with the text today, but we'll be able to do it tomorrow.

Exercise 2

Translate these sentences into English and check your friend

1. I couldn't help you yesterday.

2. Can you believe this story?

3. He will be able to come to the meeting tomorrow.

4. She will be able to see you tomorrow.

6. They could go to the country last month.

7. You can help us tomorrow.

8. Can your sister play the piano?

9. What languages ​​can you speak?

10. He will be able to finish the work tomorrow.

InformationIII

The verb may (past tense might only for indirect speech) expresses:

1) resolution:

May I come in? Can I come in?

2) possibility or assumption:

It may rain today. Maybe it will rain today.

In the meaning of the verb "may", as well as instead of its missing forms, the combination "to be allowed" + infinitive with the particle "to" can be used.

He was allowed to stay here. He was allowed to stay here.

exercise 1

Use the modal verb "May» at the specified time and check a friend

1. The students (may) leave the room in half an hour. (Future Indefinite).

2. She was allowed to play the piano yesterday.

3. You (may) look some words up in the dictionary at the examination. (Future Indefinite).

4. You will be allowed to stay away from classes tomorrow.

5. She (may) swim in the morning. (Past Indefinite).

6. We were allowed to go to the theater yesterday.

8. Ann is still weak. She will not be allowed to go out tomorrow.

9. You (may) use my dictionary in an hour. (Future Indefinite).

10. Shall I be allowed to bring my friend with me tomorrow?

InformationIV

The verb "must" expresses a necessity or a moral duty. The verb “must” is translated into Russian by the words “should”, “necessary”, “must”:

I must get up early every day. I have to get up early every day.

The verb "must" has no past tense.

To express the past tense, its equivalents "to have to ..." and "to be to ..." are used. To express the future tense, only the equivalent of "to have to ..." is used.

The verb "to have" followed by the infinitive of another verb with the particle "to" expresses an obligation arising from external conditions, and is often translated into Russian by the verb "have to".

I had to wait for the tram for 10 minutes yesterday.

Yesterday I had to wait for the tram for 10 minutes.

The verb "to be to ..." means an obligation arising from a preliminary agreement or plan.

Mister N. is to make a report at the next meeting.

Mr. N. has to give a report at the next meeting.

exercise 1

Translate the following sentences into Russian and check your friend

1. She had to ask for directions to the station.

2. The students will have to stay after their classes.

3. I have to do my homework today.

4. We were to meet at the station at 6.

5. You will have to review lecture material before the exam.

6. When are we to visit the laboratories of the Institute?

7. I will have to answer many letters tomorrow.

8. You will have to leave at 6 to catch the train.

9. Mom has to cook dinner after work.

10. The girl had to take care of her younger sisters and brothers.

11. I was supposed to arrive by the ten o'clock train, but I could not get a ticket for it.

12. We shall have to speak to him about it.

13. We must be with him no later than 8 o'clock.

14. He was to leave last night.

Exercise 2

Translate the following sample sentences and check a friend

(I) had to… (I) shall have to …

1. I had to get up early.

2. You will have to do it today.

3. We shall have to meet them.

4. He had to come at 8 o'clock.

Did (you) have to? … Will (you) have to? …

5. Did you have to wait for a long time?

6. Will I have to make a report?

7. Did he have to do this work?

8. Will we have to go there?

(I) did not have to … (I) shall not have to …

9. I did not have to write to him.

10. We won't need to call them.

11. They will not have to go there.

12. They shouldn't have gone to the station.

Here you can find English modal verbs/ Modal verbs/ can, may, must, ought, need, should.

MODAL VERBS (MODAL VERBS)

1. Modal verbs are the verbs can, may, must, ought (to), need, should.

Modal verbs do not denote an action, but the ability, admissibility, possibility, probability, necessity of performing an action.

In comparison with semantic verbs, modal verbs have a number of features:

a. Modal verbs are not used without a semantic verb. The semantic verb after modal verbs is in the infinitive without the to particle. Modal verbs in combination with semantic verbs form a complex verbal predicate:

I can look out of the window and see, can "t I?
I can look out the window and see, can't I?

b. Modal verbs do not change in persons and numbers, i.e. in the third person singular
do not have the ending -s (-es):

I can remember drinking tea...
I can remember when we drank tea...

All this must be changed.
All this needs to be changed. (lit.: All this must be changed).

c. Modal verbs form interrogative and negative forms without the help of others
auxiliary verbs:

May I ask, sir, by what right has it been taken from me?
May I ask, sir, by what right was it taken from me?

You need not be nervous about it.
You don't need to be nervous about this.

d. Modal verbs do not have infinitive, participle, or gerund forms.

e. Modal verbs do not have future tenses.

f. The verbs can, may have the past tense (could, might), but the verb must has no past tense.

MEANING OF MODAL VERBS

2. The modal verb can expresses the ability or ability to perform an action. It is usually translated into Russian with the words I can, I can. In the past indefinite tense, it has the form could. He has the forms of the future indefinite tense:

It is generally acknowledged that nuclear war can only lead to the suicide of the human race.
It is generally accepted that nuclear war can only lead to self-destruction of humanity.

The verb can is also used to express a real or supposed possibility:

This work could be done at once.
This work could be done immediately.

3. Modal may verb expresses permission or opportunity to perform an action. It is usually translated into Russian with the words I can, it is possible. In the past indefinite tense, it has the form might. The form of the future indefinite tense does not have:

Not that comes first to the hill may sit where he will.
Whoever comes to the hill first can sit where he wants. (Whoever took the stick first is the corporal.)

The verb may is also used to express an assumption (with a hint of doubt):

may not know about it.
He may not know about it. (Perhaps he doesn't know about it.)

4. The modal verb must expresses duty, the need to perform an action due to certain circumstances, as well as an order or advice. It is usually translated into Russian with the words must, must, must.

It has only the form of the present indefinite tense must, i.e., it has no past indefinite and future indefinite forms.

Whatever his political opinions he must help us.
Whatever his Political Views he must help us.

The verb must is also used to express an assumption (with a touch of probability):

ten minutes must have passed before we again heard the lookout's warning.
It must have been ten minutes before we heard the watchman's warning again.

5. The modal verb ought expresses the moral necessity of an action. It is usually translated into Russian with the words should, should, should, should. It has only the form of the present indefinite tense ought, i.e., it has no past and future forms of indefinite tense.

After the modal verb ought, the semantic verb in the indefinite form is used with the particle to:

I suppose I ought to confiscate it, but I hate to treat an officer in that way.
I suppose I should confiscate this, but I hate to treat an officer like that.

The verb ought in combination with the perfect infinitive indicates that the desired action was not carried out in the past:

Not ought to have done this work.
He should have done the job.

6. The modal verb need expresses the need to perform an action. It is usually translated into Russian with the words need, need.

It has only the form of the present indefinite tense need, i.e., it has no past and future forms of indefinite tense:

We need to talk about this no more.
We don't need to talk about it anymore.

Unlike other modal verbs, interrogative and negative form modal verb need can also be formed with the help of the auxiliary verb to do in the appropriate form, and the semantic verb in this case is used with the particle to:

Need we answer this letter?
Do we need to answer this letter?
Do we need to reply to this letter?

You need not answer this letter.
You do not need to answer this letter.
You do not need to respond to this letter.

7. The verb should is also used as a modal verb.

The verb should expresses advice, the subjective necessity of an action. It is usually translated into Russian with the words must, follows. It has only one form should:

The instructions should be written in clear language.
Instructions should be written (should be written) in clear language.

English is a very polite language. What is at least the fact that everyone refers to each other as "you". When communicating, it is important to choose the correct forms, because, although many forms have the same translation into Russian, they are perceived in English with varying degrees of politeness and formality. The expression of permission in English is a prime example of this.

There are several ways to express permission in English:

In this article, we will talk about modal verbs. In colloquial speech, we can ask permission, give permission or forbid. Let's look at which modal verbs express each of these functions and what are the features of their use.

Asking for permission: can, could, may, might

To ask for permission in English, we have a large selection of means: modal verbs can, may, could, might.

Might- the most formal option, the rest differ in the level of politeness. Could And May- more polite forms than can. Although questions with these verbs will be translated into Russian in the same way ( Can I...? , May I...?), in English selection correct form communication plays an important role depending on the situation. If you don't know the person very well, then to ask for permission, use May or might. If you want to politely ask a friend, then use could . Can I...? - less formal and polite, but universal option.

Mum, can I go for a walk? - Mom, can I go for a walk?
Jane, could I take a look at your report? - Jane, can I take a look at your report?
Excuse me, may I use your pen? - Excuse me, can I use your pen?
Might I ask you a question, Mister Jones? - Can I ask you a question, Mr. Jones?

Note that questions like this are usually not answered simply "yes" or "no", since these are not just general questions, they convey a specific modal function. To answer briefly, they usually say "Sure", "Of course", "Certainly", "Why not?" or "I'm afraid not" .

While we're on the subject of asking for permission, let's take a break from modal verbs for a moment and look at a few more expressions:

Is it OK if I ...?- Can I...? ()

Is it all right if I…?- Can I...?/ Nothing if I...?

Do you mind if I…?- Do you mind if I...?

If you need to ask a polite question, use would to build it. Do not forget that after would should verb in the second form (V2):

Would you mind if I V2…? - Do you mind if I...?
Would it be OK/all right if I V2…? - Do you mind if I...?

Giving permission: can, may.

To give permission not used modal verbs could and might. They can only be found in questions, but to answer, that is, to give permission is permissible only with the help modal verbs can and may. They are very easy to use, since they do not change by gender and numbers and are translated as "Can":

You may smoke in this room. - You can smoke in this room.
Now when you have finished doing your hometask you can go for a walk. - Now that you've finished doing homework you can go for a walk.

The main difference between can And May- that can is used primarily in informal communication, and may - more formal and polite:

You can borrow my pencil if yours is broken. - You can take my pencil if yours is broken.
You may ask the questions at the end of my presentation. - You can ask your questions at the end of my presentation.

Refusing permission: can "t, may not, mustn" t

To deny, deny, or prohibit something, there are three options: can't, may not And mustn "t . Could not used in this function.

The most "strong" refusal, when not just denied, but rather prohibited:

You musn "t eat ice-cream, you have sore throat. - You can't eat ice cream, you have a sore throat.
Students mustn "t cheat at the exam. - Students are not allowed to cheat on the exam.

And, of course, can , which is used in everyday communication in most situations:

Could I pay in cash? - I "m sorry, but you can" t pay in cash.
- Can I pay in cash? - Unfortunately, you cannot pay in cash.

Can I drive? - You can "t, I" ll drive myself.
- May I drive the car? No, you can't, I'll take it myself.

When talking about permission, they also use verbs. We will talk about their use in the next article.