Modal Verb May Examples

There are examples of the use of modal verb MAY in proverbs, sayings and quotations.

Proverbs

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Note the use of the verb 'may / might' in the following proverbs and sayings. Memorize them.

1. A cat may look at a king.
2. Cowards may die many times before their death.
3. A fair face may hide a foul heart.
4. Bitter pills may have blessed effects.
5. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
6. Hares may pull dead lions by the beard.
7. The remedy may be worse than the disease.
8. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
9. When the oak is before the ash, then you will only get a splash; when the ash is before the oak, then you may expect a soak.
10. If you don’t like it you may lump it.
11. Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip.

Modal Verb Can Examples

There are examples of the use of modal verb CAN in proverbs and quotations .

Proverbs

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Note the use of the verb 'can' in the following proverbs and sayings.

1. No man can serve two masters.
2. A man can die but once.
3. A golden key can open any door
4. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
5. A beggar can never be bankrupt.
6. None can play the fool so well as a wise man.
7. A man can do no more than he can.
8. Give a lie twenty-four hours’ start and you can never overtake it.
9. Two of a trade can never agree.
10. Blind men can judge no colours.
11. Two can live as cheaply as one.
12. Don't try to walk before you can crawl .

Examples of Modal Verbs in Texts and Dialogues

Below are short texts and dialogues which contain all the modal verbs. I hope that exploring these examples of the use of modal verbs will help learners build their confidence in using them.

Text 1

The Story of Helen Keller, The Girl Who Could Not See, Hear or Speak

I’d like you to know the story of Helen Keller, who could neither see nor hear from the time she was a baby. Yet the brilliant girl was able to overcome all those handicaps, to graduate from a college with honors and become a useful citizen.

I must say there was nothing wrong with Helen Keller when she was born. Her father and mother were very proud of their pretty baby, who tried to say “pa-pa” and “ma-ma”.

For nineteen months Helen grew bigger and stronger. She was able to walk when she was a year old; she could say a few words.

But one day the child fell ill. She must have been very ill. For days she was laid up with a high fever and soon the parents learned that their darling would never be able to see and hear.

The little child was now doomed to a life of silence and darkness. She could not hear what was said to her and did not know how to talk, she was unable to play with other children.

When Helen was 6 years old her parents took her to Baltimore and then to Washington to famous doctors to find out if they could do something to make her hear and see again, but the doctors could do nothing. The child was hopelessly deaf. Dr. Bell said the Kellers should address the Perkins Institution for the blind in Boston and ask if they could send someone to help the child.

It was a wonderful day for Helen Keller when Ann Sullivan arrived in March 1887 to take charge of the child who could neither hear nor speak. Helen was nearly seven, Ann Sullivan was past twenty.

Ann Sullivan found a way to make herself understood. She gave the child a doll, and taking Helen Keller’s hand she slowly spelled out "d-o-l". The child learnt for the first time that things must have names.

When Miss Sullivan later spelled into the little girl’s hand the word “w-a-t-e-r” and then let the water from the pumps run over her hand, a new light seemed to brighten the face of the child. During the next 3 months, she learned 300 words and could even put some of them into sentences.
Miss Sullivan loved her pupil who was so quick to learn. She lived with Helen, played with her and worked with her every hour of the day. By means of the hand language, Helen and her teacher were able to talk to each other.