Use of Can, May, Should & Must – Rules, Definition, Meaning, Examples and Exercise

Can—सकना सामर्थ्य/क्षमता का बोध कराने के लिए

May—सकना संभावना/अनुमति/अनुरोध का बोध कराने के लिए

Solved Examples:

सामर्थ्य/क्षमता का बोध

1. मैं यह काम कर सकता हूँ। I can do this work.
2. वह अँगरेजी बोल सकता है। He can speak English.
3. तुम उसे पीट सकते हो। You can beat him.
4. वह कलम से लिख सकती है। She can write with a pen.

अनुमति का बोध

1. तुम घर जा सकते हो। You may go home.
2. आप अंदर आ सकते हैं। You may come in.

अनुरोध का बोध

1. क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ? May I come in?
2. क्या मैं आपकी कलम ले सकता हूँ? May I take your pen?

संभावना का बोध

1. आज वर्षा हो सकती है। It may rain today.
2. मेरा भाई आज आ सकता है। My brother may come today.

Solved Examples:

1. उसे पढ़ना चाहिए। He should read.
2. आपको सुबह में टहलना चाहिए। You should walk in the morning.
3. हमें गरीबों की मदद करनी चाहिए। We should help the poor.
4. आपको यह दवा अवश्य लेनी चाहिए। You must take this medicine.
5. तुम्हें वहाँ अवश्य जाना चाहिए। You must go there.
6. आपको यह काम अवश्य करना चाहिए। You must do this work.

Note: ‘चाहिए’ के लिए should तथा ‘अवश्य चाहिए’ के लिए must का प्रयोग करें।

Negative & Interrogative Sentences

Can/May/Should/Must के बाद not लगाकर Negative Sentences और इसे Subject के पहले रखकर Interrogative Sentences बनाए जाते हैं।

जैसे

1. वह नहीं देख सकता है। He cannot see.
2. गूंगे नहीं बोल सकते हैं। The dumb cannot speak.
3. मैं नहीं दौड़ सकता हूँ। I cannot run.
4. वह कार नहीं खरीद सकता है। He cannot buy a car.
5. वह आज नहीं आ सकता है। He may not come today.
6. आपको यह काम नहीं करना चाहिए। You should not do this work
7. तुम्हें यह काम जरूर नहीं करना चाहिए। You must not do this work
8. क्या आप अँगरेजी पढ़ सकते हैं? Can you read English?
9. क्या आज वर्षा हो सकती है? May it rain today?
10. क्या आपको यह करना चाहिए? Should you do this?
11. क्या मुझे वहाँ अवश्य जाना चाहिए? Must I go there?

What/Where/When/How/Why का प्रयोग

What Where When How Why

can/may/should/must

Subject

(not)

V1+….?

Solved Examples:

1. वह क्या कर सकता है? What can he do?
2. तुम क्यों नहीं तैर सकते हो? Why can you not swim?
3. आप उसे कैसे हरा सकते हैं? How can you defeat him?
4. मुझे क्या करना चाहिए? What should I do?
5. आपको वहाँ कब जाना चाहिए? When should you go there?
6. मुझे उसकी मदद क्यों करनी चाहिए? Why should I help him?
7. हमलोगों को कहाँ ठहरना चाहिए? Where should we stay?
8. हमें कोशिश क्यों नहीं करनी चाहिए? Why should we not try?

1. Can

Definition: Expresses ability, possibility, or permission.

Rules & Usage:

• Ability: Indicates what someone can do.
  • Example: She can speak three languages.
• Permission: Used to ask or give permission (informal).
  • Example: You can leave early today.
• Possibility: Something that is possible.
  • Example: It can get very hot in summer.

Exercise Example:

• Fill in the blank: I ___ swim very well. (can/may/should/must)

2. May

Definition: Expresses permission, possibility, or probability.

Rules & Usage:

• Permission (formal): Used to grant or request permission politely.
  • Example: You may enter the room.
• Possibility: Something that might happen.
  • Example: It may rain tomorrow.

Exercise Example:

• Fill in the blank: You ___ borrow my book. (can/may/should/must)

3. Should

Definition: Expresses advice, suggestion, obligation, or expectation.

Rules & Usage:

• Advice or Suggestion: Recommend a course of action.
  • Example: You should eat more vegetables.
• Expectation: What is expected to happen.
  • Example: The train should arrive at 9 AM.
• Obligation (mild): A gentle recommendation rather than strict rules.
  • Example: Students should submit homework on time.

Exercise Example:

• Fill in the blank: He ___ see a doctor if he feels unwell. (can/may/should/must)

4. Must

Definition: Expresses necessity, obligation, or strong recommendation.

Rules & Usage:

• Obligation/Necessity: Something that is required.
  • Example: You must wear a helmet while riding a bike.
• Strong Advice: Strong recommendation or warning.
  • Example: You must try this cake—it’s delicious!
• Certainty: Sometimes used to express strong certainty.
  • Example: She must be tired after the journey.

Exercise Example:

• Fill in the blank: You ___ follow the rules strictly. (can/may/should/must)

5. Quick Comparison Chart

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with Can, May, Should, or Must:

1. You ___ take rest if you are tired.
2. I ___ speak English fluently.
3. We ___ respect our elders.
4. It ___ rain later, so take an umbrella.
5. You ___ finish this assignment today.

Answers are included in the downloadable PDF for self-practice.

7. Downloadable PDF

For structured learning, examples, rules, and exercises, you can download the Can, May, Should & Must PDF. It is perfect for students, teachers, and competitive exam aspirants.

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