Page 49 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

M a y , m i g h t , c a n a n d c o u l d : p o s s i b i l i t y ( 1 )
can
and
May,
might,
(1)
possibility
could:
affirmative sentences (that is, sentences which are not questions or negatives), we use may or
In
In affirmative sentences (that is, sentences which are not questions or negatives), we use may or
to say there is a possibility of something happening or being true:
might to say there is a possibility of something happening or being true:
might
may/might be his last major speech before the election.
• ¢ This may/might be his last major speech before the election.
This
shock to many of the people present.
The newsmay/might come as
• * The news may/might come as a a shock to many of the people present.
a job, I may/might get the money back that I lent him.
• * When Frank gets a job, I may/might get the money back that I lent him.
When Frank gets
is often little difference in meaning, but might can suggest that there is less possibility.
There is often little difference in meaning, but might can suggest that there is less possibility.
There
can also use could, but not can, to express a similar meaning. We prefer could to show that
We
We can also use could, but not can, to express a similar meaning. We prefer could to show that
are giving an opinion about which we are unsure:
we
we are giving an opinion about which we are unsure:
isn't Tim here yet?' 'It may/might/could be because his mother is ill again.'
"Why
n 4 • * 'Why isn't Tim here yet?’ ‘It may/might/could be because his mother is ill again.'
may/might/could be some cake left. I'll go and look.
• ° • * There may/might/could be some cake left. I'll go and look.
There
can use can in affirmative sentences when we talk about a more general possibility of
We
We can use can in affirmative sentences when we talk about a more general possibility of
happening rather than the possibility of something happening in a particular
something
something happening rather than the possibility of something happening in a particular
situation:
situation:
can sometimes reach 35°C in July.
• ¢ The temperature
The temperature can sometimes reach 35°C in July.
daisies can be yellow or red.
Mountain
• * Mountain daisies can be yellow or red.
may/might/could rain {not It can...)
• + It It may/might/could rainlater.
later, fnor It can...)
prefer may rather than can in more formal contexts:
We
We prefer may rather than can in more formal contexts:
the stated dose may cause drowsiness, (from a medicine container)
Exceeding
• * Exceeding the stated dose may cause drowsiness. (from a medicine container)
use
happening.
possibility
questions
the
about
ask
may
D We don't use may to ask questions about the possibility of something happening. Instead we
to
of something
don't
Instead
we
We
use, for example, could(n't) or the phrase be likely:
use, for example, could(n't) or the phrase be likely:
leave?
Could it be that you don't want to
a © • ° Could it be that you don't want to leave?
likely to be visiting Greece again this summer?
• ° • « Are you
Are you likely to be visiting Greece again this summer?
is possible to use might in this type of question, but it is rather formal:
It It is possible to use might in this type of question, but it is rather formal:
be persuaded to change their minds?
• ¢ Might they be persuaded to change their minds?
Might they
negative sentences, including sentences with words like only, hardly or never, to say that
In
In negative sentences, including sentences with words like only, hardly or never, to say that
(or more formally cannot) or couldn't (or could not):
something is not the case we can use can't
something is not the case we can use can't (or more formally cannot) or couldn't (or could not):
can't/couldn't be any milk left 1 would have seen it in the fridge.
-
• * There can't/couldn't be any milk left-1 would have seen it in the fridge.
There
can/could hardly be any doubt that he was guilty.
• ¢ There
There can/could hardly be any doubt that he was guilty.
the use of may/might and can/could in negative sentences:
Compare
Compare the use of may/might and can/could in negative sentences:
are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it may not / might not happen for another
There
• ¢ There are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it may not / might not happen for another
(= It is possible that it won't happen for another ten years.)
ten years. (= It is possible that it won't happen for another ten years.)
ten years.
are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it can't/couldn't happen for another ten
• ¢ There are plans to rebuild the town centre, but it can't/couldn't happen for another ten
There
(= It is not possible that it will happen for another ten years.)
years.
years. (= It is not possible that it will happen for another ten years.)
difference is that we use may not or might not to say that it is possible that something is not
The
The difference is that we use may not or might not to say that it is possible that something is not
say
couldn't
it
and
We • - • * • * • ¢ don't can well recall how I or felt when John told could well to reach (= it is possible to is believe to something
possible
that
to
true.
not
is
can't
or
is
that
something
true, and can't or couldn't to say that it is not possible that something is true.
true,
We use may well, might well or could well to say it is likely that something will happen:
We use may well, might well or could well to say it is /ikely that something will happen:
$100
profits
year.
may/might/could
this
million
company
of the
The profits of the company may/might/could well reach $100 million this year.
The
talk
about
talk
to
well
can
well
can
use
However,
this
way
used
future.
in
the
We don't use can well in this way to talk about the future. However, can well is used to talk
feel
now:
think
something
we
:
about something we think or feel now:
about
he was
moving to
Africa.
us
South
I ITcan well recall how I felt when John told us he was moving to South Africa.
say
commonly
possible
words
it
to
may,
after
might,
is
used
that
can
and
Other words commonly used after may, might, could and can to say it is possible that something
Other
will happen are conceivably and possibly:
will happen are conceivably and possibly:
it)
The President may conceivably call an election in June. (= it is possible to believe it)
The President may conceivably call an election in June.
cities.
parking
fewer
new
lead
possibly
could
restrictions
cars
in
our
The new parking restrictions could possibly lead to fewer cars in our cities.
The
Can and could: ability =
May, might, can, could: possibility (2) =>|||)Щ| = Can and could: ability ==> fT
May, might, can, could: possibility (2) => Fae