(Note that this is the preference in North America, but I believe that may is quite common in speaking and writing in British English.) Emphasize that they might see and use may in formal writing, but in speaking and informal writing, they should stick to might and could. Whatever you do, please remind students that may is quite formal! Textbooks always present the three modals together, and students might use may in everyday speech unless we point out that it’s not common to do so. When it comes to the meaning of may, might, and could for possibility, I would argue that, at least in North American English, there is no difference in meaning except formality. The results of the study may shed some light on this condition.We could choose a new color of paint for the bedroom.They might attend the awards ceremony tomorrow night.Because of the uncertainty, these modals are often used to talk about the future, though sometimes we want to express possibility in the present. We use these modals to describe a possible action. We might go to the party tomorrow night.The modal always comes before the base verb. Remind lower-level students that a base verb is one with no endings (no -ing, -ed, -s, etc.). In English, there are three main modals of possibility: may, might, and could. Today, let’s focus on modals of possibility. Some modals can be used for more than one purpose (such as could for past ability or present/future possibility), so it’s no wonder they sometimes struggle! Presenting modals by function can help English language learners keep them all straight. You might want to suggest that to the committee.There are many modals in English modals of ability, possibility, necessity/obligation, and advice, to name the most common-and students can get confused by all the different functions and meanings. A modal verb helps the main verb to express the mood of the subject, and at the same, it can indicate likelihood, ability, permission, possibility, or willingness. A modal verb is a special kind of helping verb.

What modals