Modals: Can - Could - May - Might

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Modals

(zou) kunnen/ can could may might

• Can = waarschijnlijk 'It can become really hot in Africa.' 
• Could = iets minder waarschijnlijk 'It could become really hot tomorrow.'
• May = nog minder waarschijnlijk 'It may become hot, but only if there are no clouds.'
• Might = onwaarschijnlijk 'It might become hot, but as it's nearly winter, it's unlikely

kunnen/ vermogen of vaardigheid hebben  can-could-be able to

• Can alleen bij Present Simple 'I can help you with your homework.'
• Could VT of zou kunnen 'I could help you if you want.'
• To be able to: alle tijden 'I was able to help them yesterday.'

Toestemming can-could-may-be allowed to

• Can alleen in de present simple 'She says: I can stay till 10.'
• Could als VT van Can 'She said I could stay till 10.'
• May is formeler 'You may speak now.'
• to be allowed to kan in alle tijden.  'Were you allowed to go to the party last week?'

Beleefde vraag stellen: can-could-may-might

• Could is beleefder dan can:  'Can/Could I have some tea?'
• Might is beleefder dan May: ' May/Might I have some tea?'
• May en Might zijn allebei formeler 

They ....help you with this problem for sure.

1. can
2. could
3. might
4. may

Excuse me sir, ....I ask you a question?

1. can
2. may
3. could
4. might

Sorry I ..... (not) cycle because I don't have a bike.

1. can't
2. am not able to
3. couldn't
4. am not allowed to

Can you speak up? I ______ hear you.

1. must
2. can't
3. shouldn't
4. can

have to / must / should

• Have to: geeft aan dat iets noodzakelijk is. I have to leave now, I have another meeting.
• Must: formeler en dwingender (wetten/ bevel/ regels). You must leave the premises right away! 
• Must: het kan niet anders, You must be exhausted after that long swim.
• Je geeft advies; should  You should drink more water.

You ........ smoke at all.

1. shouldn't
2. cannot
3. must

Fill in: must / have to / should
Peter …  rewrite his essay yesterday.

All passengers (have to / must / should) switch off their phone before boarding the plane.

Use: 'must', 'have to' or 'should'
'You look tired. You .... go to bed.'

Fill in: must / have to / should 
You .. (had moeten) told your teacher that you had lost your book! 

Fill in must/mustn't - have to -don't/ doesn't have to -should/shouldn't- could/couldn't - would/wouldn't: Micky ... make it tonight.

Use: 'must', 'have to' or 'should'
'You .... not believe everything you read on Facebook.'

You (have to / must / should) be at least 18 to get your driver’s licence.

You -not(have to/ should/ must) be present today, we can manage.