Misused Verbs: Can/May
Name:___________________________ “Can” is quite often misused in place of the
correct word, “may.” This is partly because so many people have just gotten lazy ing correct grammar. However, can and may are also challenging because they do not have real clear past tense forms. Could is sometimes okay to use as the past tense form of can, but was able to is more appropriate most of the time. Might is still the correct past tense form of may, but it is being used less and less. Can: can means to have the ability to do something, or to be able to do it. Can is the correct present tense form of the verb. Was able to is the correct past tense form of the verb. I can ride a motorcycle. Last year I was able to ride a bicycle.
May : may means to have permission, or to be allowed to do something. May is the correct present tense form of the verb. However, Might is the correct past tense form of the verb. My mom says I may go on the fieldtrip. I had to get the form signed so that I might go on the trip.
Choose “can,” “was able to,” “may,” or “might” to complete each sentence. 1. The old man
(can/was able to/may/might)
walk with a cane yesterday.
2. My teacher
(can/was able to/may/might)
recite 24 digits of Pi.
3. Jeff and Tom
(can/was able to/may/might)
attend the private party.
4. Grandmother
(can/was able to/may/might)
eat when she comes out of surgery.
5. My brother
(can/was able to/may/might)
kick a football across the whole field.
6. Yesterday, she
(can/was able to/may/ might)
7. My dad says I
(can/was able to/may/might)
sleep at my friend’s house tonight.
8. Last year, I
(can/was able to/may/might)
earn my diploma and graduate.
9. My teacher said I
(can/was able to/may/might)
participate in the show.
10. Your cousin Joe
(can/was able to/may/might)
whistle through his teeth.
pay off her credit card.
Copyright ©2011 K12Reader - http://www.k12reader.com
Misused Verbs: Can/May
Key Name:___________________________ “Can” is quite often misused in place of the
correct word, “may.” This is partly because so many people have just gotten lazy ing correct grammar. However, can and may are also challenging because they do not have real clear past tense forms. Could is sometimes okay to use as the past tense form of can, but was able to is more appropriate most of the time. Might is still the correct past tense form of may, but it is being used less and less. Can: can means to have the ability to do something, or to be able to do it. Can is the correct present tense form of the verb. Was able to is the correct past tense form of the verb. I can ride a motorcycle. Last year I was able to ride a bicycle.
May : may means to have permission, or to be allowed to do something. May is the correct present tense form of the verb. However, Might is the correct past tense form of the verb. My mom says I may go on the fieldtrip. I had to get the form signed so that I might go on the trip.
Choose “can,” “was able to,” “may,” or “might” to complete each sentence. 1. The old man
was able to
(can/was able to/may/might)
walk with a cane yesterday.
2. My teacher
can
(can/was able to/may/might)
recite 24 digits of Pi.
3. Jeff and Tom
may
(can/was able to/may/might)
attend the private party.
4. Grandmother
may
(can/was able to/may/might)
eat when she comes out of surgery.
5. My brother
can
(can/was able to/may/might)
kick a football across the whole field.
6. Yesterday, she
was able to
(can/was able to/may/ might)
7. My dad says I
may
(can/was able to/may/might)
sleep at my friend’s house tonight.
8. Last year, I
was able to
(can/was able to/may/might)
earn my diploma and graduate.
9. My teacher said I
may
(can/was able to/may/might)
participate in the show.
10. Your cousin Joe
can
(can/was able to/may/might)
whistle through his teeth.
to pay off her credit card.
Copyright ©2011 K12Reader - http://www.k12reader.com