English Modal Verbs - May, Might, Could, Can - Talking About Possibilities

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  • Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
  • The English modal verbs 'can', 'could', 'may' and 'might' are used to talk about possibilities. This English modal verbs lesson will help you learn how to use may, might, could, and can correctly. Have a question about these modal verbs? Chat with a teacher now: bit.ly/ooe-teachers.
    For example:
    - He can be really mean sometimes
    - It could take us a few hours to finish this
    - They might have missed the train
    These sentences all express possibilities: things which are possible, but not certain. We often use these modal verbs to talk about things we are not sure about, or to give our opinions.
    See the full version of this lesson on our website: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/m....
    In this lesson, you can learn:
    1) How to use 'can' to talk about general possibilities in the present or the future.
    2) How to use 'could', 'may' and 'might' to talk about specific possibilities.
    3) The difference between general and specific possibilities, and when you need to use 'can' or 'could/may/might'.
    4) Talking about possibilities in the past using 'could have', 'may have' or 'might have'.
    5) The two different meanings of 'could have'-'could have' can be used in two different ways to talk about possibilities in the past, depending on whether you know what happened or not.
    Contents:
    1. How to Express Possibility in the Present or Future 0:34
    2. How to Talk about General and Specific Possibilities 3:57
    3. How to Talk about Possibilities in the Past 7:53
    4. Past Possibilities: Two Meanings of 'Could Have' 9:58
    We use the modal verb 'can' to talk about general possibilities-things which can be true at different times, or for different people. For example: "It can take two hours to get there by train." This means that it can take two hours every time, not just once.
    You can use the verbs 'could', 'may' or 'might' to talk about specific possibilities-things which are only possible at one time. For example: "It could take you two hours to get there by train." This means it could take you two hours, not someone else. It's specific. In this sentence you could use any of the three modal verbs 'could', 'may' or 'might'-there's no difference in meaning.
    To talk about possibilities in the past, use the modal verbs 'could', 'may', or 'might', plus 'have' plus a past participle. For example: "I don't know where they are-they could have missed the train." In this sentence, you can use any of the verbs 'may', 'might' or 'could', as before.
    Watch this lesson for an introduction to English modal verbs: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/vi...
    SUBSCRIBE to continue improving your English! goo.gl/UUQW8j
    Become an OOE member to see our newest lessons before they're available to the public, and more! / @oxfordonlineenglish1
    See more of our free English lessons on this page: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/fr...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 433

  • @lauranguyen8015
    @lauranguyen8015 5 років тому +83

    This chanel really support me to study English very well.

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    @trando1625 4 роки тому +49

    Oxford Online English literally teaches me everything my school doesn't teach

  • @pmat2757
    @pmat2757 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much Mikey ,Maria and all of you who worked hard to give us this wonderful lesson

  • @nikka238
    @nikka238 2 роки тому +4

    Was struggling with understanding general possibility and specific possibility.
    I'm grateful to you for teaching so simply

  • @yimsomcifuentes5764
    @yimsomcifuentes5764 3 роки тому +1

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  • @agapihanialidi1879
    @agapihanialidi1879 2 роки тому +1

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    (Athens/Greece)

  • @nguyennhuthuhuynh1433
    @nguyennhuthuhuynh1433 3 роки тому +11

    Part one: Possibility in present or future 0:34; Part two: General and specific possibility 3:58; Part three: Possibility in the past 7:55; Part four: Past possibility - could have 9:59

    • @reviewer9751
      @reviewer9751 3 роки тому

      up

    • @huyenngoc7214
      @huyenngoc7214 2 роки тому

      chị ới cái ví dụ cuối cùng 13:22 sao ngta bảo could dùng khi biết mà câu đó lại không biết là sao ạ @@

    • @nguyennhuthuhuynh1433
      @nguyennhuthuhuynh1433 2 роки тому

      @@huyenngoc7214 Could có thể dùng cho 2 trường hợp khả năng trong quá khứ: 1. mình biết là nó xảy ra như nào và 2. mình chỉ đoán chứ việc đó nhưng thực tế không biết rõ nó đã xảy ra như vậy k. nên em thấy cái ví dụ thứ 2 đó là trường hợp không biết nó xảy ra thực sự vậy không, ng nói đoán là khả năng anh ấy đã trễ tàu.

    • @tuanmaithinkbig
      @tuanmaithinkbig 11 місяців тому

      @@huyenngoc7214ủa người vn cũng vô coi à

  • @aswathimv5319
    @aswathimv5319 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much.. These videos are more effective and useful to learn the grammar properly.

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    @seeingisbelieving6775 4 роки тому +5

    This chanel are too important for me, because this chanel gives right ideas for speaking English.

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    @ricardomorlaspeguero3179 4 роки тому

    IAM A NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKER, BUT I UNDERSTAND AND LEARN EVERY THING THAT YOU ARE TEACHING. THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU.

  • @migmi
    @migmi 4 роки тому +1

    My teacher sent me this and I'm surprised by how clearly and simply they teach this!

  • @luzgarces397
    @luzgarces397 2 роки тому +3

    I love your videos! They are a real help for ESL learners.

  • @felixcatruza7999
    @felixcatruza7999 4 роки тому

    Hundred million of likes for this lesson. Now I've known how to use these modal verbs correctly. Continue to give us these wonderfull classes.

  • @kavinsanthosh648
    @kavinsanthosh648 3 роки тому +1

    thank so much. I have completely understood the Modals of Possibility!

  • @seol_E_C
    @seol_E_C Рік тому

    i love this video so much..! i couldn't have understood modal verbs without this video ♥ i can't thank you enough ♥

  • @saeedkaramgoli7515
    @saeedkaramgoli7515 2 роки тому +1

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    @asifmahar3984 Рік тому +1

    Guys, you made my life easy by teaching these modal verbs.

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    @LUZIVALDETF 6 років тому +9

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    @gopaldebnath669 3 місяці тому +1

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  • @rogeriacatto5633
    @rogeriacatto5633 4 роки тому +5

    Hello teachers!! Thank you Very much for everything, it's amazing learn from you !

  • @naimosaidali2960
    @naimosaidali2960 3 роки тому

    Hello sir and ma'am thank you so much you make us understand easily. It's clear concise I had alot of confusion modal especially when using with future perfect. I have understood .

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    @user-cg9xy4uh6h 4 роки тому +6

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    @peakyblinders7734 3 роки тому

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    @ShashikalaSamarakoon-ih1qj Рік тому

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  • @theteacher7891
    @theteacher7891 6 років тому +5

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    @hma24100 Рік тому +1

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    @jhonquinonez524 3 місяці тому

    AMAZING EXPLANATION...REALLY HELPFULL TO LEARN ENGLISH

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    @mauriceotiskouton1723 5 років тому +5

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    @user-cv7dp3rf3c 2 місяці тому

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  • @asmawiyati2442
    @asmawiyati2442 Рік тому +1

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    @kwonjongeun5648 4 роки тому

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  • @manhphai6885
    @manhphai6885 6 років тому +1

    Thank you oxford online english very much

  • @thestarinthesky_
    @thestarinthesky_ 5 років тому +6

    Thank you so much. It was always confusing for me to distinguish between general and specific possibilities. Thank you so much

  • @user-hr4nu6ib2n
    @user-hr4nu6ib2n 2 місяці тому

    Thank a million for this lesson
    Really helpful to me

  • @hmssdissanayake5758
    @hmssdissanayake5758 Рік тому +1

    Can understand well. Clear explanation

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    @678uio 2 роки тому

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    @kakachi3422 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks you Oxford online english

  •  Рік тому +1

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    @victoraguirre3882 5 років тому +3

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    @beetofmusic9006 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you oxford online english !I'm from sri lanka

  • @AyaAya-dy8bq
    @AyaAya-dy8bq 4 роки тому +1

    A very useful video. Thank u so much. I need more videos about modal verbs.

    • @Oxfordonlineenglish1
      @Oxfordonlineenglish1  4 роки тому +1

      Glad you liked it! We have many more modal verbs lessons on our website: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/?s=modal+verbs.

  • @najmaounass5340
    @najmaounass5340 4 роки тому +2

    Great job! thank you verry much💓💓

  • @brucewayne2339
    @brucewayne2339 6 років тому +5

    Extremely informative, especially when it comes to using can in terms of general possibilities. This topic had bothered me in the past. I remember when it all started with the following sentence: "Answer the phone, it might be Tom." - why on earth not in the following way: "Answer the phone, it can be Tom." Now I know: the sentence is a great example of a very specific possibility.

    • @Oxfordonlineenglish1
      @Oxfordonlineenglish1  6 років тому +2

      So glad it helped you, Bruce! Yes, these small differences can be confusing.

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    @asiaattia2773 2 роки тому

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    @iqrabatool7611 3 роки тому +1

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    @abdallaabdullahi5942 3 роки тому

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  • @cristina-emiliacismaru4437
    @cristina-emiliacismaru4437 6 років тому +3

    Another very useful content. :) Thank you, teachers! Thank you very much, teacher Oli for OOE!

  • @thebasiclife4319
    @thebasiclife4319 5 років тому +2

    it takes 2 mos for me ..how to use the (could,migth,should,would, have+past participle) past possibilities..in the past correctly ..infact lot of learners always get confused about them. aND LOT OF VEDEOS WHICH TALKING ONLY ABOUT THE UNREAL SITWATION AND THEY NOT INCLUDED THE POSSIBILITIES. therefore as we want to use them possibilites in the past which. we can confused constantly. coz we only just know the unreal situation .and not the possibilities. I WANT TO SAY .WHICH TO ALL LEARNERS, THAT DON'T STOP TRIYING TO TEACH OURSELVES IN ENGLISH. NO ONE ELSE COULD HELP US. BUT ONLY OURSELVES . THANK U FOR THIS VEDEO. ITS BEEN 2MOS SINCE I BEGAN STUDIYING ENGLISH .BY MYSELF. ..FROM ZERO TO INTERMIDIATE.

  • @midnightnabik.9325
    @midnightnabik.9325 3 роки тому

    Thank you. Very helpful to me.

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    @tramarthomas6105 3 роки тому +1

    This was a little too helpful. Great video, guys.

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    @fahrettinemektar9998 6 років тому +2

    Thanks very much both of you amazing...

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    @caglarerdem0 4 роки тому +2

    Excellent lesson!

  • @1imronmovic
    @1imronmovic 3 роки тому

    Thanks for the nice explanation..
    It's really helpul

  • @anandkumar-si1di
    @anandkumar-si1di 3 роки тому

    Excellent. Please share link all uses of ( passive modal verbs ) please🙏

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    @goksonsirait7817 2 роки тому

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    @TrustworthyHome 4 роки тому +2

    This is really useful for the new learners

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    @saidjamia 5 років тому +2

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    @dailyviralvideos6245 5 років тому +3

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    @terezinhavieira762 6 років тому +1

    This class is great.

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    @abromand7386 10 місяців тому

    This chanel really support me to study english

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    @___vijay___ 4 роки тому +1

    This channel might be the best UA-cam channel.
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  • @bachimillie1371
    @bachimillie1371 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much for the lesson ❤❤

  • @minglee793
    @minglee793 6 років тому +1

    Very good, clear and useful!

    • @Oxfordonlineenglish1
      @Oxfordonlineenglish1  6 років тому

      Thanks for the kind comment, Ming Lee! We're happy you found the lesson useful!

  • @men_jiao
    @men_jiao 4 роки тому +1

    This channel is very useful to me ,thank you ^^

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    @estefangalindograjales8971 4 роки тому +1

    Wonderful class.Congratution.

  • @erikaszabados3305
    @erikaszabados3305 6 років тому +4

    Awesome, easily understandable grammar lesson!

    • @Oxfordonlineenglish1
      @Oxfordonlineenglish1  6 років тому

      Glad you were able to understand it, Erika! Thanks for watching!

  • @Sri-it2gh
    @Sri-it2gh 5 років тому +1

    Excellent lesson.

  • @ulkuselcukhos
    @ulkuselcukhos 5 років тому +2

    Finally.. I can understant to this topic thanks to yo.. thanks so mach

  • @ganeshparasuraman7965
    @ganeshparasuraman7965 5 років тому +1

    Thanks for your video.They could be brothers they look so alike!.If it is very sure can we use 'must ' instead of 'could '

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    @sirmateenahmed5436 3 роки тому +1

    You people know the art of teaching. V nice

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    @nguyenhuyhai8461 6 років тому +2

    Oh. It is an awesome video. It has helped me a lot. Many thanks from Vietnam.

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    @NSWorld-wd6zp 5 років тому +3

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    @humbertohugoriverarojas3568 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent the video.

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    @kimdohunaddict149 6 років тому +7

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    @Acc25818 2 роки тому +1

    U have a great voice brother!

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    @khaledaaktar4187 5 років тому +1

    It's a great way to learn in English speaking

  • @name335
    @name335 10 місяців тому

    Thank you very much.
    🤗🤗🤗

  • @minggaythecat6865
    @minggaythecat6865 4 роки тому

    I am just getting a bit confused. Does MUST + MAVE + PARTICIPLE VERB (for making deduction in the past) and MIGHT, MAY, COULD + HAVE + PARTICIPLE VERB (to talk about possibility in the past) have the same meaning?
    *Could you explain it with examples please..

  • @fhdgfyfh7271
    @fhdgfyfh7271 6 років тому +1

    Thank you so much teachers

  • @clarissabias1965
    @clarissabias1965 4 роки тому +5

    The only thing I would distinguish is that "could" and "might" might have different meanings - for example, "They could be brothers; they look so alike!" (they COULD be, but I know they aren't) or "They might be brothers; they look so alike!" (I think they really might be).

  • @monamahajan8952
    @monamahajan8952 6 років тому +3

    Great
    Excellent
    Never thought that grammar could be so easy to learn

  • @yogendra007singh
    @yogendra007singh 2 роки тому

    Sir this is a outstanding video

  • @alexpaul4864
    @alexpaul4864 5 років тому +1

    Very nice class

  • @user-uo1hz4mq7v
    @user-uo1hz4mq7v 10 місяців тому

    3.39-3.48 I didn`t understand why it isn`t possible to use could in these sentenses. Will you explain, please?
    And what about explaining the use of can, could, may and might in the codidionals? It would be useful to many people, I suppose.

  • @reponhossain2072
    @reponhossain2072 5 років тому +2

    Thanks sir and madam very helpful ,great work .well down

  • @user-rx4ij5cl5r
    @user-rx4ij5cl5r 6 років тому +2

    Thank you for the lesson,it'very helpful. You've mentioned about" may be" and "maybe",can you give some examples,please?

    • @Oxfordonlineenglish1
      @Oxfordonlineenglish1  6 років тому +1

      Thanks for watching! Some examples:
      1) It may be cold outside later. (Use after a pronoun)
      2) Maybe she will come with us to the movies. (Use at the beginning of a sentence or as an answer)

  • @uththaraGauthami20000
    @uththaraGauthami20000 6 років тому +4

    Thank you both very much it is attractive and very clear.

  • @alinaqializada8034
    @alinaqializada8034 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks a lot from both of you it was too many useful

  • @nhat75ht45
    @nhat75ht45 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks a lot

  • @rajvkay3425
    @rajvkay3425 5 років тому +3

    I 'm glad to learn Eng from all of you by the source of online.
    ~Vkay

  • @yongluo1873
    @yongluo1873 5 років тому +1

    thank you teachers !

  • @saibaba1334
    @saibaba1334 5 років тому +2

    Excellent n wonderful videos plz upload the more videos thanks

  • @dhonisingh8826
    @dhonisingh8826 6 років тому +1

    Fantastic respected sir and ma'am.Both of you explained very well.Thanks💐🙏🙏