Illustrative examples

I can speak English

I cannot speak English

Can I speak English?

Yes, you can. No, you cannot (can’t)

We could drive on the left in England

We could not drive on the left in Kiev.

Could we drive on the left in England?

Yes, we could. No, we could not (couldn’t)

He may come later.

He may not come later.

May he come later?

Yes, he may. No, he may not. No, he mustn’t

They might show us the city.

Might they show us the city?

Yes, they might. No, they might not.

She must come in time.

She must not (mustn’t) come in time.

Must she come in time?

Yes, she must. No, she must not. No, she needn’t.