Modals for permission and plans
Modals are very common in the English language, specifically when we use them to ask for permission in the present or future tense. Use them like auxiliary verbs, before a base form of the verb. Use table 17 to complete the exercises in this module.
Subject (You) + modal (can) + base verb (go)…
Modals in red are formal
Modals in blue are informal or neutral
| Modals | Uses | Affirmative examples | Negative examples | Question examples |
| Be allowed to | Used in the same way as can or can’t(talking about rules). | Yes, you are allowed to smoke here. | No, you aren’t allowed to smoke here. | Are we allowed to smoke here? |
| Can / Can’t | Giving permission,enforcing rules. | Yes, you can park here. | No, you can’t park here. | Can we park here?(is it allowed?) |
| Could | Making suggestions, asking for permission | Yes, you could have some water. | Cannot be used in the negative form when talking about permission | Could I have some water, please? |
| May | Giving/asking for permission, talking about rules | Yes, you may speak with Mr. Mitchell. | No, you may not speak with Mr. Mitchell. | May I speak with Mr. Mitchell, please? |
| Might | Asking questions (rarely)about possibilities. | Might I help you with that? |
| Common Time Expressions in Future Simple | Examples |
| Tomorrow | I may go to the gym tomorrow. (50% certain) |
| The day after tomorrow | You can help me move the day after tomorrow. |
| Next week | You can’t see her next week; she’s busy. |
| In a year | Could I come visit you next year? |
| This morning | You must be home by 11am this morning because our landlord is coming to visit. |
| On Friday | He is to leave for his trip to Maine on Friday. |