Can, May and Might: General or Particular Possibility?
In this lesson, you can state a general potential without asserting it on every occasion.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Before you start
Give a general possibility about weather.
See one possible response
It can get cold here at night.
A photography enthusiast explains general equipment behaviour and then investigates one disappointing set of pictures.
What you will practise
- State a general potential without asserting it on every occasion.
- Make a qualified situational guess.
- Combine a general possibility with a cautious case-specific explanation.
Try first. For open responses, a model is one valid answer, not an exact-string key. Preserve the intended meaning and register.
Can for a general potential
Can often describes what is possible in a type of situation: Reflections can hide details in a photograph. This does not claim that reflections explain every picture or the current one. The subject and context establish the general reading.
Strong reflections can obscure a shop window display.
A small change of angle can improve a photograph.
May and might for this occasion
May, might and could can present a possible explanation or future event: The mark might be a reflection. You are considering this case, not merely describing a general tendency. These words do not supply fixed numerical probabilities.
This pale line may be a reflection from the lamp.
Tomorrow’s light might be better for the portrait.
Make the distinction explicit
Context can support several modal choices. For a clear contrast, say what sometimes happens in general, then state what may be happening here. Do not use affirmative can be as an automatic substitute for every uncertain claim about a particular fact.
Windows can reflect nearby lights; this bright patch might be one of those reflections.
The camera can produce sharp pictures, but this one may be out of focus.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.
1. These lenses can produce a soft background. General potential or a definite claim about one photograph?
Compare a model and explanation
General potential.
No particular photograph is identified as having that result.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
2. You have not checked one specific image. The mark ___ be dust. Use a modal for a tentative explanation.
Compare a model and explanation
The mark might be dust.
May or could also works in this open task.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
3. Reflections can hide details, so every unclear photo has reflections.
Compare a model and explanation
Reflections can hide details, but other causes of unclear photos are possible.
The general possibility does not identify every cause.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
4. A different angle can help. Explain with sometimes.
Compare a model and explanation
A different angle sometimes helps.
This paraphrase expresses a general potential, not a guaranteed improvement.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
5. It can be noisy here. It might be noisy here tonight.
Compare a model and explanation
The first describes a general possibility; the second considers tonight.
Time and context help distinguish the readings.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
6. Might always means a thirty per cent chance.
Compare a model and explanation
Might does not carry a fixed numerical probability.
The strength of an assessment depends on context, not a universal number.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
7. Sometimes lamps create reflections. The patch on this image is possibly a reflection.
Compare a model and explanation
Lamps can create reflections. This patch may be a reflection.
The general point and the specific guess remain separate.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
8. The image is blurred. Movement is one possible explanation, but you have no camera data.
Compare a model and explanation
Movement can blur a photograph. This image might show movement, but I would check the camera data before deciding.
The explanation is a hypothesis rather than an established cause.
Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.
A short conversation
Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.
Open the conversation transcript
Photographer: Bright lamps can create reflections through glass.
Friend: Is that what caused this line?
Photographer: It might be, but I haven’t checked the angle or the original image.
Friend: Then let’s compare another shot before deciding.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.
Answer key with explanations
What is claimed?
A general possibility, not a guaranteed solution.: The speaker explicitly limits the claim.
Compare all choices
- Every reflection has the same cause.: Causes are not equated.
- A general possibility, not a guaranteed solution.: The speaker explicitly limits the claim.
- This photograph has definitely been fixed.: No completed repair is described.
How certain is the explanation?
It is a possibility that still needs checking.: Might and the unperformed check preserve uncertainty.
Compare all choices
- It is confirmed.: The original has not been checked.
- It is ruled out.: The speaker considers it possible.
- It is a possibility that still needs checking.: Might and the unperformed check preserve uncertainty.
What contrast is made?
General capability versus a possible problem tomorrow.: The two clauses have different reference scopes.
Compare all choices
- General capability versus a possible problem tomorrow.: The two clauses have different reference scopes.
- A guaranteed failure tomorrow.: May is not a guarantee.
- An inability to take any clear pictures.: Can states the capability.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Answer key with explanations
Which sentence most clearly states a general potential?
Reflections can hide details in photographs.: The plural general context supports a potential reading.
Compare all choices
- Reflections can hide details in photographs.: The plural general context supports a potential reading.
- The reflection hid the label in this photo.: This asserts a particular past event.
- This patch might be a reflection.: This is a case-specific possibility.
You are guessing about a specific mark. Which wording fits?
The mark may be a reflection.: May presents a tentative explanation.
Compare all choices
- The mark is certainly a reflection.: Certainly exceeds the supplied uncertainty.
- The mark may be a reflection.: May presents a tentative explanation.
- Every mark is a reflection.: This unjustified generalisation changes the claim.
Does can happen mean happens every time?
No.: Potential does not imply universal frequency.
Compare all choices
- Only after a plural noun.: Plurality does not create an always meaning.
- Yes.: That strengthens the meaning incorrectly.
- No.: Potential does not imply universal frequency.
Which pairing distinguishes general and particular possibility?
Glass can reflect light; this patch might be reflected light.: The first is general and the second concerns this patch.
Compare all choices
- Glass can reflect light; this patch might be reflected light.: The first is general and the second concerns this patch.
- Glass always reflects badly; therefore this is proved.: The conclusion adds unsupported certainty.
- This patch was checked and confirmed, but we have not examined it.: The evidence statements conflict.
Can may and might always be assigned fixed percentages?
No.: Context controls their force; there is no universal numerical scale.
Compare all choices
- Yes, might always means impossible.: Might expresses possibility, not impossibility.
- No.: Context controls their force; there is no universal numerical scale.
- Yes, may always equals sixty per cent.: That number is invented.
Which sentence preserves uncertainty about tomorrow?
Tomorrow’s light might be better.: The event remains possible rather than assured.
Compare all choices
- Tomorrow’s light is guaranteed to be better.: This adds a guarantee.
- Tomorrow’s light was better last week.: The time references do not express the intended future guess.
- Tomorrow’s light might be better.: The event remains possible rather than assured.
A general capability is known. Does that prove this particular attempt succeeded?
No.: Capability and actual performance are different.
Compare all choices
- No.: Capability and actual performance are different.
- Only if the verb is in the present.: Present tense does not close that gap.
- Yes, capability guarantees every attempt.: Conditions and performance can vary.
Which is the most evidence-conscious conclusion?
The mark may be dust, but another explanation is possible.: It retains the limited evidence and alternative.
Compare all choices
- The mark must be dust because dust exists.: General existence does not establish this cause.
- The mark may be dust, but another explanation is possible.: It retains the limited evidence and alternative.
- The mark cannot be dust because it is uncertain.: Uncertainty does not rule the possibility out.
Use it in your own words
General potential
Give two general possibilities connected with a hobby and make clear they do not occur every time.
Reveal a possible response
A long exposure can show movement. A lower angle can change the background, but neither choice works for every photo.
- Use can for general potential
- Avoid universal guarantees
Choose a familiar non-dangerous hobby.
This case
Give two possible explanations for a fictional unclear picture without deciding between them.
Reveal a possible response
The camera might have moved, or the subject may have moved. We need more information before choosing an explanation.
- Offer alternatives
- Keep the evidence limit explicit
Present-time explanations are also acceptable.
Put it all together
A friend says a general tip proves what went wrong in one recording. Explain the difference, offer a cautious possibility and propose a check.
Reveal a possible response
Background noise can make speech unclear, but that doesn’t prove it caused this problem. The microphone might be too far away. Let’s compare the original recording with a closer microphone test.
- Separate general potential and specific explanation
- Do not add certainty
- Transfer to sound rather than photographs
Other plausible, low-stakes recording checks are welcome.
Take it with you
General potential differs from a guess about a particular situation. Choose can, may or might in a context that makes the intended possibility clear. Do not assign fixed percentages.