Lesson 2: Preparing a cv

Lesson 2: Preparing a CV.

Language Focus: Modal Verbs

Modal verbs:

• Modal verbs: In English there are different modal verbs (can, could, should, may, etc…)
• They are important in English because they give a special meaning to your sentence. And the meaning changes depending on what kind of Modal you use.  For instance... 

                                                                                   You go to the gym.

                                            |___Should

                                             |___Have to

                                             |___Can 

Now, if I arrange all the MODALS (MODAL VERBS) according to the degree of their strength, I come up with a list like this: 

May vs. Might: In general, “Might” is common in conversation (speaking) while “May” is common in writing.

• There are many kinds of Modal Verbs and they all have different meanings. But “May” and “Might” are used to express:

#1. possibility

#2. permission

#3. suggestion

Possibility:

• Possibility: First of all, “Might” is used to talk about possibility. This is why it is often matched with the meaning of “perhaps.”

For example:

A: Where are they?

B: They might be inside the room. ( = Perhaps they are inside the room.)

• Usually, “May” and “Might” can be used interchangeably:

A: Where are they?

B: They may be inside the room.

But except when we are talking about a possibility that is unreal. In this case, it's impossible to use "May." 

Permission:

• Permission: “Might” is also used to ask permission politely.

Example:  Might I borrow your pen? 

• In this case, it and “May” are again interchangeable:

Example: May I borrow your pen?

• Both “May” and “Might” are more formal than “Can” or “Could”.

Suggestion:

• Suggestion : To make a suggestion, you can also use “Might.” This is another polite expression.

Example: I thought we might go to the park.

In this case though, “Might” and “May” are different. “May” tends to be more formal 

Modal Verbs

May

More probable

Less polite

Might

Less Probable

More polite

If you nedd extra help you may visit:

http://aprendeinglessila.com/2013/05/verbos-modales-may-might/

Summing up:

Modal verbs

Give different sense to the senteces

Different modals

Can, could, should, might, may, etc…

May and Might

Talk about possibilities

Ask for permission

Talk about possibilities