Can / Could / May
Sound polite and confident with useful modal questions for daily English.
Learning Flow
Learn -> Practice -> Challenge -> Quiz
After This Lesson
Use Can for ability/help
Use Could for polite requests
Use May for permission
Sound more respectful
Learning outcome
What You'll Learn
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Learning outcome
What You'll Learn
Ask Can questions.
Offer help with Can I.
Make polite requests with Could you.
Ask permission with May I.
Teacher explanation
Definition
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Teacher explanation
Definition
Can I
Use Can I to offer help.
Can You
Use Can you to ask about ability.
Could You
Use Could you for polite requests.
May I
Use May I for polite permission.
Person, place, thing, idea
Examples
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Person, place, thing, idea
Examples
Can I open the window?
Can you solve this question?
Could you speak more slowly?
May I ask one doubt?
Short model sentences
Simple Sentences
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Short model sentences
Simple Sentences
Can I sit here?
Can you answer this question?
Could you speak slowly?
May I use this notebook?
Remember these points
Rules
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Remember these points
Rules
Can + subject + V1?
Could + subject + V1?
May + subject + V1?
After can/could/may, use base verb.
Teacher-style walkthrough
Guided Examples
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Teacher-style walkthrough
Guided Examples
Guided Example 1
Could you check my answer?
- Could you is polite.
- Check is the base verb.
Guided Example 2
May I use your pen?
- May I asks permission.
- This is formal and respectful.
Focused grammar practice
Grammar Lab
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Focused grammar practice
Grammar Lab
Can, Could, May
What is this tense?
Can, could, and may help you ask about ability, requests, and permission.
Use them to sound helpful and polite.
Structure
Can/Could/May + subject + V1?
Positive
Helpful question
Can I help you?
Can you speak English?
Negative
Avoid verb changes
Not: Can you speaks English?
Question
Polite request
Could you repeat that?
May I come in?
Common Mistakes+
After can/could/may, use V1.
Use Could for polite requests.
Mini Practice
Write one Can question.
Write one Could question.
Better everyday English
Smart English Tip
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Better everyday English
Smart English Tip
Could sounds softer than Can for requests.
May I is useful in class or office situations.
Use base verb after modal words.
These sentences help you sound polite quickly.
Natural replies and useful words
Real English Usage
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Natural replies and useful words
Real English Usage
Help and Ability
Can I carry this bag?
Can you understand this sentence?
Polite Requests
Could you explain this again?
May I ask one more question?
Write and get feedback
Now Your Turn
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Write and get feedback
Now Your Turn
Type your answers first. Feedback appears after you save and submit practice.
Submit your answer
Challenge
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Submit your answer
Challenge
Write 4 polite questions using Can, Could, and May.
Write one Can I question.
Write one Can you question.
Write one Could you question.
Write one May I question.
Save your score
Quiz
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Save your score
Quiz
Quiz
Choose your answers and submit when ready.
Question 1 - mcq
Choose the polite request.
Question 2 - mcq
Choose the permission question.
Question 3 - mcq
After Can, use:
Question 4 - fill blank
Complete: Can you ____ English?
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Progress and completion
Mission Complete
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Progress and completion
Mission Complete
Mark this mission complete after you review the examples, finish the practice prompts, write the challenge, and submit the quiz.
Lesson Progress
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Mission Complete
Full Lesson Performance
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Practice
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Challenge
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Quiz
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Overall Lesson Status
In Progress
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Suggested Review
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