COULD, MAY AND MIGHT

COULD, MAY AND MIGHT
 English Grammar 
We use could, may and might to express degrees of possibility. Many native speakers disagree on which one expresses more or less certainty.
Compare
The restaurantmay close.
It is likely that the restaurant will close.
The restaurantcould close.
It is less likely that the restaurant will close.
The restaurantmight close.
There is only a possibility that the restaurant will close but no one is very sure.
The speaker also shows degree of certainty or uncertainty through intonation and stress. If the speaker stresses the modal verb, they are expressing more uncertainty than if they stress the main verb.


Complete the following sentences using can, may, might or could. Note that can and may are used in the present tense. Could and might are used in the past tense.

1. ………………. I come in?
a)Can
b)May
c)Either could be used here
2. ………………… I borrow your bicycle?
a)Can
b)May
c)Either could be used here
3. It ………………… rain in the evening.
a)may
b)can
c)Either could be used here
4. It ………………… not be true.
a)cannot
b)may not
c)Either could be used here
5. ………………….. you find love and happiness!
a)Can
b)May
c)Either could be used here
6. I …………………. swim across the river when I was young.
a)could
b)might
c)Either could be used here
7. She said that she ……………… come.
a)may
b)might
c)Either could be used here
Answers

1.  May I come in?
2.  May I borrow your bicycle?
3. It may rain in the evening.
4. It cannot be true.
5. May you find love and happiness!
6. I could swim across the river when I was young.
7. She said that she might come.


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