Grammar World 3-- Ch12
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megamind publicationGrammar World 3-- Ch12
Uploaded by
megamind publication12 Can, Cannot, May, May Not,
Should, Should Not
At the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
understand the use of ‘can’, ‘cannot’, ‘may’, ‘may not’, ‘should’ and ‘should not’.
use ‘can’, ‘cannot’, ‘may’, ‘may not’, ‘should’ and ‘should not’ correctly.
Look at the pictures and write the activities being done. Tick () the activities
you can do. Cross () the activities you cannot do.
____________ ____________ ____________
____________ ____________
Read the following sentences:
1. I can run.
2. She can swim.
3. We can jump.
4. He can cook.
5. They can play cricket.
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In the above sentences, the highlighted word (can) tells us about the ability of a person
to do something.
We use can to express the ability of a person to do something.
Can is also used to make requests/ask questions. For example, Can you come with
me to the school?
Now, read the following sentences:
1. I cannot climb the tree.
2. We cannot hunt.
3. She cannot play the piano.
In the above sentences, the highlighted word (cannot) tells us about the inability of a
person to do something.
We use cannot to express the inability of a person to do something.
Cannot can also be written as can’t.
A. Answer the following questions using can or cannot by looking at the clues given
in the brackets.
1. Can you read a newspaper? (yes)
______________________________________________________________
2. Can you ride a bike? (no)
______________________________________________________________
3. Can you play with a heavy bat? (no)
______________________________________________________________
4. Can you write a letter? (yes)
______________________________________________________________
5. Can you sing a song? (yes)
______________________________________________________________
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Read the following sentences:
1. It may rain.
2. He may go on a vacation.
3. May I enter the classroom?
4. You may come in.
5. No, you may not enter the classroom.
In the above sentences, the highlighted words (may/may not) talk about the possibility of
something happening, or it may even talk about seeking permission or giving permission.
The permission may be granted or denied. To deny permission, we use may not.
We use may whenever we request or grant permission to do something.
We use may not when we deny permission to prevent someone from doing
something.
B. Frame the questions for the following answers. One has been done for you.
1. A: Yes, you may go out.
Q: May I go out?
2. A: No, you may not take help from others.
Q: ___________________________________________________________
3. A: No, you may not use my phone.
Q: ___________________________________________________________
4. A: You may play with your sister.
Q: ___________________________________________________________
5. A: No, you may not carry your lunch box to the zoo.
Q: ___________________________________________________________
6. A: Yes, you may change your pencil.
Q: ___________________________________________________________
Read the following sentences:
1. You should be punctual.
2. He should be more careful while driving.
3. We should not talk loudly.
4. They should not play in the rain.
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In the above sentences, the highlighted words (should/should not) talk about polite
suggestions. When the suggestions are positive, we use should. When the suggestions are
negative, we use should not.
We use should when our suggestion is good to do.
We use should not to suggest not to do a thing or try to politely prevent
someone from doing something.
Should not can also be written as shouldn’t.
C. Write the answer to the following questions using should and should not.
1. Q: Should we get out of a running bus?
A: No, we should not get out of a running bus.
2. Q: Should we go to bed early?
A: ___________________________________________________________
3. Q: Should we talk loudly in a doctor’s clinic?
A: ___________________________________________________________
4. Q: Should we drink more water during summer?
A: ___________________________________________________________
5. Q: Should we play with a knife?
A: ___________________________________________________________
6. Q: Should she go out without an umbrella in the rainy season?
A: ___________________________________________________________
D. Fill in the blanks by choosing the most suitable options from the brackets.
1. I can play tennis but ____________ play chess. (can/cannot)
2. Your box is heavy. ____________ I help you? (May/May not)
3. This is a tough question. ____________ you solve it for me? (Can/Should)
4. We ____________ be obedient to our parents. (should/may not)
5. We ____________ shout in the classroom. (can/should not)
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6. You ____________ go to school without your breakfast. (cannot/should not)
7. An elephant ____________ fly. (may not/cannot)
8. You ____________ go near the animals in the zoo. (cannot/may not)
9. The teacher said, “You ____________ be more attentive”. (should/may not)
10. Mary is sick. So, she ____________ go to school. (may/cannot)
11. He ____________ come to the playground, as he is unwell. (can/cannot)
12. ____________ I take your notebook? (May/May not)
NCF C-3.4
Flexibility & Adaptation
Look outside your window. What’s the weather like today?
If it is sunny, write:
´´ Three things you can do today.
´´ Three things you cannot do today.
If it is rainy, write:
´´ Three things you should do today.
´´ Three things you should not do today.
For Example,
Sunny Day:
´´ I can play in the garden.
´´ I can wear my sunhat.
´´ I cannot wear my raincoat.
Rainy Day:
´´ I should wear my raincoat.
´´ I should use an umbrella.
´´ I should not play in the puddles.
Now, imagine that the weather changes suddenly!
´´ If it was sunny, pretend it’s now raining.
´´ If it was rainy, pretend it’s now sunny.
Write new lists for the new weather! Can you try making sentences using may and may
not?
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