🎯 Learning Objectives
- Identify the correct use of 'can', 'could', and 'might' to express ability and possibility.
- Use 'can' and 'could' to talk about present and past abilities in professional contexts.
- Apply 'could' and 'might' to discuss possibilities and make polite requests in business situations.
- Distinguish between formal and informal uses of 'can' and 'could' for requests.
We use 'can', 'could', and 'might' (modal verbs) to talk about ability and possibility.
'Can' - Ability (Present) & Possibility (General/Informal Requests)
Form: Subject + can + base verbPositive: I can speak English.
Negative: He cannot (can't) attend the meeting.
Question: Can you finish the report by 5 PM?
'Could' - Ability (Past) & Possibility (Present/Future - less certain) & Polite Requests
Form: Subject + could + base verbPositive: She could type fast when she was younger.
Negative: We couldn't solve the problem yesterday.
Question: Could you help me with this task?
'Might' - Possibility (Present/Future - uncertain)
Form: Subject + might + base verbPositive: The client might arrive late.
Negative: We might not get the contract. (Note: 'mightn't' is rare)
🔑 Key Learning Tip: Think about certainty and politeness!
• Ability: 'Can' = present, 'Could' = past.
• Possibility: 'Can' (general) > 'Could' (less certain) > 'Might' (most uncertain).
• Requests: 'Could' is generally more polite than 'Can'. 'Might' is not typically used for requests.
🤝 Making Requests: "Could I please have a moment?" (Polite)
📈 Project Planning: "We might finish ahead of schedule." (Possibility)
🤔 Problem Solving: "We could try negotiating the terms." (Suggestion)
🙋 Offering Help: "I could help you prepare those slides." (Offer)
🔄 Discussing Updates: "The delivery date might change." (Uncertainty)
💼 Networking: "Can I get your business card?" (Informal Request)
✅ Correct Professional Usage
❌ Common Business Mistakes
Listen to David, a team leader, discussing plans for a new client presentation.
David speaks (approx. 1:55 minutes):
"Good morning, everyone. Let's quickly go over the plans for the new client presentation. As you know, this is a very important client, so we need to be well-prepared.
First, Sarah, you mentioned you can handle the market research slides. That's great because your analysis is always very thorough. You could also include some competitor data if you find anything relevant from last quarter's reports.
Now, regarding the technical demonstration, Mark, I know you can usually set it up very quickly. However, the new projector in Conference Room B can sometimes be tricky. So, could you please test it an hour before the meeting? We can't have any technical issues.
For the financial projections, I could do them myself, as I did for the last client, but I think Lisa might be better for this one. Lisa, can you take on the financial slides? It might involve some complex calculations, but I'm sure you can manage it. If you need any data from previous years, I could send it to you.
Finally, the overall flow. We might need to rehearse this presentation a couple of times. It could help us ensure everything runs smoothly. We can schedule a rehearsal for tomorrow afternoon if everyone is available. This client could bring us a lot of business, so let's make sure we can impress them."
Exercise A: Error Correction
Instructions: Find the mistake in each sentence and write the complete corrected sentence in the input field below.
1. She cans speak three languages fluently.
2. We might to postpone the meeting until next week.
3. Could you to send me the report by end of day?
4. They no can access the shared drive.
5. Last year, our team can win the innovation award.
Exercise B: Matching Exercise
Match sentence beginnings (1-4) with endings (A-D) by writing the correct letter in the box.
1. With more training, our new employees
2. The CEO is very busy, so he
3. If you have a moment, Mr. Johnson,
4. This new marketing strategy
A. ...might not be available at such short notice.
B. ...can I get your opinion on this proposal?
C. ...could perform their tasks more independently.
D. ...might significantly boost our online sales.
Exercise C: Choose the Correct Form
Choose the correct modal verb to complete each sentence.
1. "I'm sorry, I _____ (can/could/might) not hear you clearly. The connection is bad."
2. Our company _____ (can/could/might) expand into the Asian market next year, but the plans are not final yet.
3. When she first started, she _____ (can/could/might) only use basic functions of the software. Now she's an expert.
4. "Excuse me, _____ (Can/Could/Might) you help me find the IT department?"
5. "If we invest in new technology, we _____ (can/could/might) reduce our operational costs."
📋 Prepare these speaking tasks for your next class with your teacher:
Preparation for Class: Prepare to tell your teacher about two things you can do well in your current job and one thing you could do in a previous job.
Preparation for Class: Prepare to discuss a new marketing campaign. Use "we could..." for a strategy, "it might be a challenge" for a problem, and "we can..." for a definite action.
Preparation for Class: Prepare to role-play. Make polite requests using "Could you...?". Respond to requests using "I can...", "I might be able to...".
📚 Lesson Summary for Teachers
Grammar Focus: Modal verbs 'can', 'could', 'might' for ability and possibility.
Key Challenge: Students often confuse 'can' and 'could' for politeness and possibility, and misuse 'might' for requests.
🎯 Speaking Practice Guidance
Task 1: Focus on correct use of 'can' for present and 'could' for past ability. Ensure base verbs follow.
Task 2: Guide students to use 'could' for suggestions, 'might' for uncertainty, and 'can' for capability.
Task 3: Facilitate the role-play, focusing on the politeness scale of 'Can' vs. 'Could' and appropriate helping responses.
⚠️ Common Student Errors to Watch For
- Adding 'to' after the modal: "I can to go" ❌
- Adding '-s' for third person: "She cans" ❌
- Using 'might' for requests: "Might you help?" ❌
🎯 Professional Key Takeaways:
Can: For present ability (I can use this tool) and informal requests (Can I ask a question?).Could: For past ability (I could code in Java), polite requests (Could you help me?), and suggestions/possibility (This plan could work).
Might: For present/future possibility when you are less certain (The client might be late).
Structure: Always use can/could/might + base verb (e.g., can go, could see, might finish). No "-s" for he/she/it. No "to" after the modal.