Modal Verbs of Ability and Permission Exercise at Auto-English
Check through the different uses.
| TYPE | USE | MODAL VERBS | EXAMPLE |
|
1 |
expressing ability | CAN | Marķa can drive. |
| 2 | asking for permission | MAY, CAN, COULD | Could I borrow your pen? |
| 3 | giving permission | MAY, CAN | You can use my phone. |
| 4 | refusing permission, prohibition | CAN'T, MAY NOT | You may not talk in the exam |
| 5 | requests | CAN, COULD | Can you pass me the salt? |
Look at the following phrases and write in which type you think it is. Then use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.
| TYPE | ||
| 1 | _______ | You (may/could)________________ leave now if you wish. |
| 2 | _______ | (Could/May)________________ you open the window a bit, please? |
| 3 | _______ | (May/Can)________________ you play the piano? |
| 4 | _______ | Listen, please. You (may not/could not)________________ speak during this exam. |
| 5 | _______ | You (can't/might not)________________ smoke on the bus. |
| 6 | _______ | (Can't/May)________________ I make a call on your mobile? |
| 7 | _______ | Do you know if Mark (can/may)________________ sing? |
| 8 | _______ | (Can't/May)________________ I sit here, please? |
| 9 | _______ | Caroline, your friends (can/could)________________ stay the night if they want to. They're perfectly welcome. |
| 10 | _______ | I'm sorry but you (can't/may)________________ use the computer until after I've finished. |
| 11 | _______ | (May/Could)________________ you lend me 40 Euros til Monday? |
| 12 | _______ | Listen, please. Students (may/could)________________ study in the library from five to nine in the evening. |
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