Modal Verbs

Modal verbs: CAN, MAY, MIGHT, COULD

.A: I see it’s raining again.
B: Yes, but it’s still early. It can may/might/could clear up later.
A: I was planning to go to the sea.
B: Well, the weather couldn’t may not/might not be so bad down there. It’s often better on the coast.
A: Yes. Actually, if I go, could I borrow your new camera?
B: Yes, you could can/may. But be careful with it, please.

Expressar permissão

• can ou may são usados para formular um pedido polido ou dar/negar permissão. May é mais formal do que can.
  • Can/May I open the window, please? – Yes, of course you can/may. / No, I’m sorry, you can’t/may not.
  • You wanted to borrow my printer. OK, you can/may.
• could pode ser usado em pedidos, mas não é usado para dar/negar permissão.
  • Could I look at your map, please? – Yes, you can/may (could).
  • I’m sorry, but you can’t (couldn’t) park here. This is private.

Expressar possibilidade e incerteza

• may/might/could (mas não can) expressam que algo é/será possivelmente o caso.
  • A: The phone’s ringing.
  • B: It may/might/could (can) be for me. I’m expecting a call. [Esta ligação pode/poderia ser para mim...]
  • A: How much will the repair cost?
  • B: I don’t know. But it may/might/could (can) be quite expensive. [Isso pode/poderá ser bastante caro.]
• may/might not (não can’t/couldn’t) expressa que algo possivelmente não é o caso.
  • A: The phone is ringing. Aren’t you going to anwer it?
  • B: It may/might not be for me. Perhaps it’s for you. [= É possível que a ligação não seja para mim.]
• Mas:
  • A: Look, the postman’s coming with a big parcel. Are you expecting something?
  • B: No, it can’t/couldn’t be for me. I’m not expecting anything. [= É impossível que o pacote seja para mim.]

Halloween !!

History of Halloween, like any other festival's history is inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. We follow them mostly as did our dads and grandpas. And as this process goes on, much of their originality get distorted with newer additions and alterations. It happens so gradually, spanning over so many ages, that we hardly come to know about these distortions. 

At one point of time it leaves us puzzled, with its multicolored faces. Digging into its history helps sieve out the facts from the fantasies which caught us unaware. Yet, doubts still lurk deep in our soul, especially when the reality differs from what has taken a deep seated root into our beliefs. The history of Halloween Day, as culled from the net, is being depicted here in this light. This is to help out those who are interested in washing off the superficial hues to reach the core and know things as they truly are. 

'Trick or treat' may be an innocent fun to relish on the Halloween Day. But just think about a bunch of frightening fantasies and the scary stories featuring ghosts, witches, monsters, evils, elves and animal sacrifices associated with it. They are no more innocent. Are these stories a myth or there is a blend of some reality? Come and plunge into the halloween history to unfurl yourself the age-old veil of mysticism draped around it. 

Halloween history is one of religious traditions, sacrifices and folklore. While it seems strange to understand the motivation of these ancient actions, it is good to know the roots of our current practices of Halloween.