Ex. 158. Use the verbs can or may in the correct form. 1. One … never know what … happen. 2. … you lift this box? 3. You … have sent us a note at last! We waited for you the whole day. 4. … I visit you one of these days? 5. When the fog lifted we … see where we were. 6. Do you think you … command an army? 7. She asked me if she … use the dictionary. 8. Well, your wives … not like the lady I’m going to marry. 9. The telephone is out of order. I … not hear anything. 10. Last winter he … be seen in the club any night. 11. … you help me a little? 12. What … Ann be doing all this time in the kitchen? 13. … read the letter? 14. Whatever the reason … be, the fact remains. 15. You … think whatever you like. 16. I … not walk so quickly. I have a weak heart 17. She … have lost her ring herself, it … not have been stolen. 18. Who … have said such a thing? 19. You … take the textbook. I don’t need it any longer. 20. Somebody … have given her my address. 21. Such difficulties … be easily put up with. 22. If only I … make him understand me properly. 23. I … have helped him but I didn’t receive his letter.

1. One may never know what can happen.
In this sentence, "may" is used to express possibility or uncertainty, while "can" is used to express ability or capability. The speaker is saying that it is impossible to predict what will happen in the future.

2. Can you lift this box?
Here, "can" is used to ask about the person's physical ability to lift the box. The speaker is asking if the person is capable of lifting the box.

3. You could have sent us a note at last! We waited for you the whole day.
In this sentence, "could" is used to express a past possibility or ability. The speaker is expressing disappointment that the person did not send a note earlier, as it was possible for them to do so.

4. May I visit you one of these days?
Here, "may" is used to ask for permission. The speaker is asking if they are allowed to visit the person at some point in the future.

5. When the fog lifted we could see where we were.
In this sentence, "could" is used to express ability or capability. The speaker is saying that once the fog cleared, they were able to see and know their location.

6. Do you think you can command an army?
Here, "can" is used to ask about the person's ability to command an army. The speaker is asking if the person believes they are capable of this.

7. She asked me if she could use the dictionary.
In this sentence, "could" is used to ask for permission. The speaker is saying that someone asked them if they were allowed to use the dictionary.

8. Well, your wives may not like the lady I’m going to marry.
Here, "may" is used to express possibility or uncertainty. The speaker is saying that it is possible that their wives will not like the person they are going to marry.

9. The telephone is out of order. I can't hear anything.
In this sentence, "can't" is the negative form of "can" and is used to express inability or lack of capability. The speaker is saying that they are unable to hear anything because the telephone is not working.

10. Last winter he couldn't be seen in the club any night.
Here, "couldn't" is used to express inability or lack of capability. The speaker is saying that during the past winter, the person was not seen in the club at any time.

11. Can you help me a little?
Here, "can" is used to ask for assistance. The speaker is asking if the person is able to help them to some extent.

12. What can Ann be doing all this time in the kitchen?
In this sentence, "can" is used to express possibility or uncertainty. The speaker is questioning what Ann may possibly be doing in the kitchen for such a long time.

13. Can I read the letter?
Here, "can" is used to ask for permission. The speaker is asking if they are allowed to read the letter.

14. Whatever the reason may be, the fact remains.
In this sentence, "may" is used to express possibility or uncertainty. The speaker is saying that regardless of any possible reasons, the fact still remains.

15. You can think whatever you like.
Here, "can" is used to express ability or capability. The speaker is saying that the person is free to think whatever they want.

16. I can't walk so quickly. I have a weak heart.
In this sentence, "can't" is the negative form of "can" and is used to express inability or lack of capability. The speaker is saying that they are unable to walk quickly due to having a weak heart.

17. She may have lost her ring herself, it may not have been stolen.
In this sentence, "may" is used to express possibility or uncertainty. The speaker is suggesting that there is a possibility that she lost her ring herself rather than it being stolen.

18. Who could have said such a thing?
Here, "could" is used to express a past possibility or ability. The speaker is expressing surprise or disbelief that someone could have said such a thing.

19. You may take the textbook. I don’t need it any longer.
In this sentence, "may" is used to give permission. The speaker is saying that the person is allowed to take the textbook because the speaker no longer needs it.

20. Somebody may have given her my address.
Here, "may" is used to express possibility or uncertainty. The speaker is suggesting that it is possible that somebody gave her their address.

21. Such difficulties can be easily put up with.
In this sentence, "can" is used to express ability or capability. The speaker is saying that such difficulties can be easily endured or tolerated.

22. If only I could make him understand me properly.
Here, "could" is used to express a desired ability or capability. The speaker is expressing a wish or desire to be able to make someone understand them properly.

23. I could have helped him but I didn’t receive his letter.
In this sentence, "could" is used to express a past possibility or ability. The speaker is saying that they were able to help him in the past, but they could not because they did not receive his letter.