Class 11 Unit 14 Use of may, might, must, can’t
1. MAY /
MIGHT
Used for:
A. Possibility (50% / less certain)
- May and might
show that something is possible, but not certain.
Examples:
- She may
come to the party. (Possible)
- He might
be at home now. (Less certain)
- It may
rain today.
- The teacher might
check the homework later.
B. Asking for permission (formal/polite) — may
only
- May I come in?
- May I use your
pen?
(Might is
rarely used now for permission.)
2. MUST
A. Strong obligation / necessity
Used when
something is very important or required.
Examples:
- You must
wear a helmet when you ride a motorbike.
- Students must
submit the assignment by Friday.
- You must
follow traffic rules.
B. Strong probability (almost certain)
Used when we are almost
sure something is true (95%).
Examples:
- She has been
studying all day; she must be tired.
- It’s 10 PM;
he must be at home now.
- The roads
are wet; it must have rained.
3. CAN’T
(cannot)
A. Impossibility (0% chance)
Used when we are sure
something is not true.
Examples:
- He can’t
be the thief — he was in Japan yesterday!
- You can’t
be serious!
- She can’t
be 70; she looks so young.
- This answer can’t
be right.
Summary
Table
|
Modal Verb |
Meaning |
Certainty Level |
Example |
|
may |
possibility |
50% |
She may come. |
|
might |
weaker
possibility |
30%–40% |
He might be
sleeping. |
|
must |
strong
certainty |
95% |
She must be at
work. |
|
can’t |
impossibility |
0% |
He can’t be
here now. |
Extra
Examples (Very Useful for Exams)
May / Might
- The noise is
loud. It may/might be coming from upstairs.
- I might
visit Pokhara next month.
Must
- Look at
those clouds. It must be raining soon.
- You must
finish your homework.
Can’t
- He failed
the test? He can’t have studied well.
- That can’t
be true.
In
detail
1. MAY
A. Possibility (50% chance)
Used when we
think something is possibly true.
Structure:
Subject + may + V1
Examples:
- She may
come to school today.
- They may
arrive late because of traffic.
- This road may
be closed tomorrow.
- He may
know the answer.
B. Asking for Permission (polite/formal)
Used in polite
requests.
Examples:
- May I come in?
- May we talk to the
manager?
- May I borrow your
book?
C. Giving Permission
Examples:
- You may
leave now.
- Students may
use the computer lab.
⭐ 2. MIGHT
A. Weaker Possibility (less than 50%)
Used when you are
not very sure.
Structure:
Subject + might + V1
Examples:
- She might
visit us tonight. (Not sure)
- It might
rain later.
- He might
be at the library.
- They might
not agree with the plan.
B. Past Possibility (with have + V3)
Used to show
something was possible in the past.
Examples:
- She might
have forgotten the meeting.
- He might
have left early.
⭐ Difference Between MAY & MIGHT
|
Meaning |
MAY |
MIGHT |
|
Possibility |
stronger
possibility |
weaker
possibility |
|
Example |
She may
come. |
She might
come. |
⭐ 3. MUST
A. Strong Obligation / Necessity
Used when
something is very important or required.
Structure:
Subject + must + V1
Examples:
- You must
wear a helmet.
- Students must
complete homework.
- Drivers must
follow traffic rules.
B. Strong Deduction / Almost Sure (95%)
Used when you are
almost certain something is true.
Structure:
Subject + must + be + noun/adj
Subject + must + be + V-ing
Subject + must + have + V3
Examples:
- He looks
tired. He must be exhausted.
- The lights
are off. They must be sleeping.
- She got full
marks. She must have studied a lot.
- It’s
raining. The ground must be wet.
⭐ 4. CAN’T (Cannot)
A. Impossibility (0% chance)
Used when we are sure
something is NOT true.
Structure:
Subject + can’t + V1
Examples:
- She can’t
be 80. She looks 30.
- He can’t
know the secret. I didn’t tell him.
- They can’t
be serious.
- This answer can’t
be correct.
B. Past Impossibility (with have + V3)
Examples:
- He can’t
have stolen the money. He was abroad.
- She can’t
have finished the exam in 10 minutes.
⭐ Summary Table (Very Important for Exams)
|
Modal |
Meaning |
Certainty |
Example |
|
May |
Possible |
50% |
She may come. |
|
Might |
Weaker
possibility |
30% |
It might rain. |
|
Must |
Strong
certainty |
95% |
He must be
home. |
|
Can’t |
Impossibility |
0% |
She can’t be
serious. |
Extra Useful Examples
May
- I may buy
a new phone next month.
- She may
not pass without studying.
Might
- We might
go to Pokhara this weekend.
- He might
not like your idea.
Must
- This must
be the right address.
- They must
have forgotten the appointment.
Can’t
- He can’t
be the teacher. He’s too young.
- You can’t
have seen him—he left already.
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