Modals of Permission Can Could May

What modal verbs do we usually use to ask for permission?

• must, have, should

• can't, musn't

• can, could, may

• has. have, had

Which modal do we most often use to ask permission from other adults?

• may

• might

• could

• can

When is ‘may’ most often used to ask for permission?

• Between friends.

• Between two children.

• Between two adults.

• Between a child and an adult

Which of these modals is very, very rarely used now to ask for permission?

• Can

• Could.

• Might.

• May

What word do we usually NOT use in the reply when someone asks for permission?

• Can

• Could

• Be allowed to

• Can't

What word do we use to talk about hypothetical permission in the present / future?

• Can

• Can't

• Could

• Be allowed to

You're a child and you formally ask a teacher for permission to leave the room. Which sentence is appropriate for the situation?

• May I leave the room?

• Can I leave the room?

• Could I leave the room?

You ask for permission not to come early tomorrow. You're feeling informal. Which sentence is appropriate for the situation?

• Could I not come early tomorrow

• Can I not come early tomorrow

• May I not come early tomorrow

You tell your colleague that hypothetically he has permission to come in later tomorrow, but it would really be a problem. Which sentence is appropriate for the situation?

• You may come in later tomorrow, but it would really be a problem.

• You can come in later tomorrow, but it would really be a problem.

• You could come in later tomorrow, but it would really be a problem.

You tell your friend that there is a rule against wearing jewelry at school. Which sentence is appropriate for the situation?

• You can't wear jewelry at school.

• You couldn't wear jewelry at school.

• You may not wear jewelry at school.