Modals of Permission PDF
Modals of Permission PDF
Modals of Permission PDF
Check through the different uses.
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 5 You (may/could)............................... leave now if you wish.
2 5 (Could/May)............................... you open the window a bit, please?
3 5 (May/Can)............................... you play the piano?
4 5 Listen, please. You (may not/could not)............................... speak during this
exam.
5 5 You (can't/might not)............................... smoke on the bus.
6 5 (Can't/May)............................... I make a call on your mobile?
7 5 Do you know if Mark (can/may) ............................... sing?
8 5 (Can't/May)............................... I sit here, please?
9 5 Caroline, your friends (can/could)............................... stay the night if they want
to. They're perfectly welcome.
10 5 I'm sorry but you (can't/may)............................... use the computer until after
I've finished.
11 5 (May/Could)............................... you lend me 40 Euros til Monday?
12 5 Listen, please. Students (may/could)............................... study in the library
from five to nine in the evening.
www.autoenglish.org Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007
Answers
1 TYPE 3 You may leave now if you wish.
2 TYPE 5 Could you open the window a bit, please?
3 TYPE 1 Can you play the piano?
4 TYPE 4 Listen, please. You may not speak during this exam.
5 TYPE 4 You may not smoke on the bus.
6 TYPE 2 May I make a call on your mobile?
7 TYPE 1 Do you know if Mark can sing?
8 TYPE 2 May I sit here, please?
9 TYPE 3 Caroline, your friends can stay the night if they want to. They're perfectly welcome.
10 TYPE 4 I'm sorry but you can't use the computer until after I've finished.
11 TYPE 5 Could you lend me 40 Euros til Monday?
12 TYPE 3 Listen, please. Students may study in the library from five to nine in the evening.
www.autoenglish.org Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007