A collocation is a stable combination of words that is used preferentially, instead of other possible ones, to refer to a certain object or state of affairs of extralinguistic reality.
Ability and permission
nouns collocations
"Can" is not used to talk about possibilities in the future. "Could" is not used to talk about current abilities. "Might" is not used to talk about abilities or permissions. “May” is formal for permission, so it can sound too formal in a casual setting.
Countables have a plural form and can be counted, while uncountables cannot.
Count and noncount nouns
14 - Joan Herrera
grammar infographic
Examples of using "may" for permission:
- May I help you?
- May I take you to your room?
- May I clean your room?
Specific placements for certain professions or situations, such as "get someone's attention" for marketing.
Examples of using "can" for skill:
- I can play soccer.
- She can drive car.
- he can sing in public.
- I can cook a delicious spaghetti.
- She can make it like new.
Examples of using "could" and "might" to express possibility: It might go on a trip. I might join. She said she might consider. With his skills, he could easily secure a job in that competitive industry. If you work hard, you could achieve your goals sooner than you think.
Examples of common collocations: "make a decision", "take a shower", "eat".
- Examples of countable nouns: book, dog, car.
- Examples of uncountable nouns: water, rice, love.
Use of expressions "a piece of", "a bottle of", "some", "many", "many".
