Ability
Now, we (can, could) speak English well.
Now, we CAN speak English well.
It is very cloudy today, it (may, might) rain later today.
It is very cloudy today, it MAY rain later today.
(Probable)
This weekend, I (have to, can) clean my house.
This weekend, I HAVE TO clean my house.
You (should, shouldn't) drink water everyday.
You SHOULD drink water everyday. (recommendation)
(can, may) you hold my coat?
CAN you hold my coat?
I (can, could) teach you how to your shoes today.
I CAN teach you how to tie your shoes today.
Billy and I (may, might) cook dinner tonight. He is available.
Billy and I MAY cook dinner tonight. He is available.
(Probable)
I (must, can) call my friend today, because today is his birthday.
I MUST call my friend today, because today is his birthday.
You (should, shouldn't) call your mother this week.
You SHOULD call your mother this week.
(May, can, might) I go to the bathroom?
MAY/CAN I go to the bathroom?
I (cannot, couldn't) run that fast when I was six years old.
I COULDN'T run that fast when I was six years old.
(Cannot = present, couldn't = past)
I (may, might) fail my English exam, but I don't think I will fail the exam.
I MIGHT fail English class, but I don't think I will fail the exam.
(not probable)
I (couldn't, must) memorize these vocab words for the exam on Tuesday.
I MUST memorize these vocab words for the exam on Tuesday.
You should/shouldn't play football in flip-flops.
You SHOULDN'T play football in flip-flops.
You (might, may) talk quietly after you finish your exam.
You MAY talk quietly after you finish your exam.
David (can, could) speak fluent French when he was 5 years old. Now David is 40 years old.
David COULD speak fluent French when he was 5 years old. Now David is 40 years old.
(Could = past of "can")
John was been feeling ill yesterday. He (may, might) come to the party later, but I don't think he will come.
John was been feeling ill yesterday. He MIGHT come to the party later, but I don't think he will come.
I (have to, may) turn in [=entregar] my project to my teacher today. The project is due today.
I HAVE TO turn in my project to my teacher today. The project is due today.
You (should, might) study for the test tomorrow.
You SHOULD study for the test tomorrow. (advice)
(Could/should) you help me carry this box, please?
COULD you help me carry this box, please?
Five years ago, I (cannot, couldn't) play the piano.
(Five years ago = hace cinco años)
Five years ago, I COULDN'T play the piano.
(Couldn't = past)
I've lost my keys! I (may, might) have left my keys on the train, but I think they are in my house.
I've lost my keys! I MIGHT have left my keys on the train, but I think they are in my house.
You (should, mustn't) smoke inside the classroom.
You MUSTN'T smoke inside the classroom.
You (can't, shouldn't) watch 8 hours of Netflix in one day.
You SHOULDN'T watch 8 hours of Netflix in one day.
Athletes (could, may) use the outdoor pool between May 1 and October 1 of this year.
Athletes MAY use the outdoor pool between May 1 and October 1 of this year.