Page 51 - 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 ( 2 )
and
can
May,
might,
(2)
possibility
could:
Д Compare these sentences:
Compare these sentences:
the date of the meeting in my diary, otherwise I may/might/could forget it.
• * I'll write
I'll write the date of the meeting in my diary, otherwise I may/might/could forget it.
(= talking about present or future possibility)
(= talking about present or future possibility)
late. She may/might/could have forgotten about the meeting. (= talking about past
Jenny's
• * Jenny's late. She may/might/could have forgotten about the meeting. (= talking about past
possibility)
possibility)
We use may/might/could (not 'can') + have + past participle to say it is possible that something
We use may/might/could (not 'can') + have + past participle to say it is possible that something
happened in the past:
happened in the past:
I thought I saw Tom in town, but I may/might could have been wrong.
л a • ° [thought I saw Tom in town, but I may/might could have been wrong.
'Where's Barbara's camera?' 'She may/might/could have taken it with her.'
• . • * "Where's Barbara's camera?’ 'She may/might/could have taken it with her.’
We use might/could (not 'may' or 'can') + have + past participle to say that something was
We use might/could (not 'may’ or 'can') + have + past participle to say that something was
possible in the past, but we know that it did not in fact happen:
possible in the past, but we know that it did not in fact happen:
have been the one arrested instead
IfI hadn't come along at that moment, Jim might/could
g • * If I hadn't come along at that moment, Jim might/could have been the one arrested instead
real thief.
of the real thief.
of the
The plan might/could easily have gone wrong, but in fact it was a great success.
• * The plan might/could easily have gone wrong, but in fact it was a great success.
We use might (not 'may') + infinitive to talk about what was typically the case in the past:
We use might (not 'may’) + infinitive to talk about what was typically the case in the past:
During the war, the police might arrest you for criticising the king.
• * During the war, the police might arrest you for criticising the king.
ago children might be sent down mines at the age of six. (passive form)
Years
• * Years ago children might be sent down mines at the age of six. (passive form)
use could + infinitive in examples like this to talk about past ability (see Unit 22). For
We can also use could + infinitive in examples like this to talk about past ability (see Unit 22). For
We can also
legally able to
example, ‘During the war, the police could arrest you...’ means that the police were
example, 'During the war, the police could arrest you...' means that the police were legally able to
you.
arrest you.
arrest
D
We use may/might (not 'can') + have + past participle to say that by some time in the future, it
B We use may/might (not 'can') + have + past participle to say that by some time in the future, it is is
possible that something will have happened:
possible that something will have happened:
By next Friday I may/might have completed the report.
• * By next Friday I may/might have completed the report.
His maths may/might have improved by the time the exam comes round.
• * His maths may/might have improved by the time the exam comes round.
use may/might (not 'can') + be + -ing to say it is possible that something is happening now or
We use may/might (not 'can') + be + -ing to say it is possible that something is happening now or
We
possible future arrangement:
to talk about a a possible future arrangement:
to talk about
isn't in his office. He may/might be working at home today.
• * Malcolm isn't in his office. He may/might be working at home today.
Malcolm
I go to Vienna I may/might be staying with Richard, but I'm not sure yet.
When
• * When I go to Vienna I may/might be staying with Richard, but I'm not sure yet.
about the possibility.
of may or
used
the
instead
might, particularly when we want to
same patterns
in
be
can
Could
Could can be used in the same patterns instead of may or might, particularly when we want to
show that we are unsure
show that we are unsure about the possibility.
Notice that we can combine these two patterns to talk about possible situations or activities that
Notice that we can combine these two patterns to talk about possible situations or activities that
(see also Unit 8):
went on over a period of time until now
went on over a period of time until now (see also Unit 8):
David didn't know where the ball was, but he thought his sister might have been playing
David didn't know where the ball was, but he thought his sister might have been playing
• *
(= from a past time until now)
with
with it. it. (= from a past time until now)
We use may/might/could + well/conceivably/possibly + have + past participle (compare Unit
О = = Weuse may/might/could + well/conceivably/possibly + have + past participle (compare Unit
say it is likely that something would have happened in the past if circumstances had been
20D) to
20D) to say it is likely that something would have happened in the past if circumstances had been
in the future it is likely that something will have happened.
different, or to say that by some time in the future it is likely that something will have happened.
different, or to say that by some time ‘
(Notice that we don't use 'can well (etc.) + have + past participle'):
(passive form) (1) Can and could: ability: FRETy
(Notice that we don't use 'can well (etc.) + have + past participle’):
I may/might/could conceivably have been tempted to take the job if it had been nearer
Imay/might/could conceivably have been tempted to take the job if it had been nearer
• *
home.
home, (passive form)
By this time next week, I may/might/could well have left for Washington.
• *
By this time next week, I may/might/could well have left for Washington.
May, might, can, could: possibility
May, might, can, could: possibility (1) => DIE
Can and could: ability