Fundamentals Of English Grammar

EXERCISE 12. COULD, MAY, MIGHT, and WILL PROBABLY. (Charts 3-4 and 7-2 - 7-4)

Directions: Complete the sentences with your own words.

Example: I could today. (... ) could - too, but we'll probably -.

• I could skip class and go w a mmie today. Pedro could come along too, but
  we'llprobably go to class just like we're supposed to.

1. Tonight I could. Or I might. Of course, I may
   But I'll probably


2. Next year, I might. But I could. I may. But 1'11
   probably


3. My fiend (... ) may this weekend, but I'm not sure. HelShe might
   . HeIShe could also. But helshe'll probably


4. One hundred years from now, may could

will probably

1 7-5 POLITE QUESTIONS: MAY I, COULD 1, CAN Z

(a) May I please borrow your pen?

@) Could I please borrow your pen?

(c) Can I please bormw your pen?

POSSIBLE ANSWERS

Yes.

Yes. Of course.

Yes. Certainly.

Of course.

Certainly.

Sure. (informal)

Okay. (informal)

Uh-huh. (meaning "yes")

I'm sorry, but I need to

use it myself.

I

'In a police question, dd is NOT the past form of can.

People use may I, could I,* and can

I to ask polite questions. The

questions ask for someone's permission

or agreement. (a), (b), and (c) have

basically the same meaning.

Note: can I is less formal than may I

and could I.

Please can come at the end of the

question: May I borrmu your pen,

please?

Reme can be omitted from the

question: May I bormw yourpen?

7-5 Polite questions: may I. could I. can I

Directions: Following are some phone conversations. Complete the dialogues. Use mqv I,

could I, or can I + a verb from the list. NOTE: The caller is Speaker B.

I help leaw speaklralk rake 1

1. A: Hello?
   B: Hello. Is Ahmed there?
   A: Yes, he is.
   B : to him?
   A: Just a minute. I'll get him.

Modal Auxlllarles 197