CAN AND COULD

The verbs can and could are both helping or auxiliary verbs. Use can and could to talk about people’s ability to do things. Can and could are used with the pronouns I, you, he, she, it, we and they, and with singular or plural nouns. Could is the past tense of can.

For example:

He can run faster than Arthur.

She cannot afford such an expensive ring.

I’m full. I can’t eat any more.

Can you help me?

Can I come with you?

I knew you could do it if you tried.

She could not come because she was ill.

Miss Lee said we could go home early.

All the King’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.

Jack ran as far as he could.

People often use can when they are asking for permission to do something. For example:

Can I use your pen? Yes, here it is.

When you put not after can, you write it as one word: cannot

Learn these contractions: cannot = can’t, could not = couldn’t

MAY AND MIGHT

May and might are helping or auxiliary verbs, too. Use may to ask if you are allowed to do something, or to give someone permission to do something.

If it continues to rain, there may be a flood.

I may go to Sue’s birthday party if I’m free.

You may fall down if you aren’t careful.

He realized he might catch the earlier train if he hurried.

I knew my teacher might find out.

May I borrow your pen?

You may come in.

You may go now.

May I watch television now?

Yes, you may.

“May” is also used to talk about things that are likely to happen.

If it continues to rain, there may be a flood.

I may go to Sue’s birthday party if I’m free.

You may fall down if you aren’t careful.

Take an umbrella. It may rain.

“Might” is used as the past tense of “May”.

He realized he might catch the earlier train if he hurried.

I knew my teacher might find out.

You can also use might to talk about things that are possible.

For example:

Put your purse away or it might get stolen.

You might slip, so hold on to the railing.