LANGUAGE FOCUS 1: MODAL VERBS 1

MIGHT:Past possibility which did not happenAnnoyanceConcessionSuggest what to do when there's no better alternative

COULD:Past possibility which did not happenAnnoyanceTo make requestAsk for permissionExpress certainty (negative form)Ability or inability in the past (1)Permission or prohibition in the past (2)

MAY:ConcessionSuggest what to do when there's no better alternativeGive or refuse permissionMake offersAsk for permission (more formal)

CAN: Give or refuse permissionMake offersTo make requestAsk for permissionExpress certainty (negative form)Theoretical possibilityAbility or inability Criticism

Past, present or future possibility (the addition of well expresses more possibility)

Past, present or future possibility (the addition of well expresses more possibility)

Past, present or future possibility (the addition of well expresses more possibility)

(1) When we talk about ability to do something in one ocassion in the past, could is not possible. Instead, we use was/were able to, managed to or succeeded in

(2) When we talk about permission to do somethins on one ocassion in the past, be allowed to has to be used