Modal verbs of present and future probability – step 2
Modal verbs of present and future probability -step 2
Understand the use of modal verbs for probability
Modal auxiliary verbs that express probability have different implications of certainty. In this list ‘will’ is the most certain, and ‘might’ and ‘could’ are the least certain:
will
|
may
|
will
- We’ll arrive late this evening.(We can predict with some certainty when we’ll arrive)
must
- You must be feeling pretty tired. (= it is very probable )
can / can’t
- I can understand her point of view (= it is very possible for me to understand her opinion.)
- I can’t believe he failed all his exams.(I find it difficult to believe)
should
- We should arrive before dinner. (Should expresses what may be reasonably expected to happen if everything goes to plan)
may
It is possible an event will happen or is happening already
- I may go and work abroad.
- Liz may be at the swimming-pool.
might
A more tentative, less certain version of ‘may’.
- It might be an idea to take a picnic with you – the café may be shut.
- "Be careful, they might hear you."
could
- An indoor barbecue could be dangerous.
(or An indoor barbecue might be dangerous.)
The negative of ‘could’ is ‘might not’.’Could not’ is not used to express a future possibility.
- Camping might not be a very good idea.
Couldn’t has a similar meaning to can’t, but is weaker
- You couldn’t take decent photos with that sort of camera.
1. [Multiple choice]
Is ‘should’ more or less certain than ‘must’?
(‘Should’ expresses what is reasonably probable.
‘Must’ tells you it is very probable an event will happen or is happening already.
)
Answers for Quiz [1].
- 1. more certain
- 2. less certain (correct)
2. [Multiple choice]
What is the negative of ‘could’ when used in the sense of a possibility?
Answers for Quiz [2].
- 1. couldn’t
- 2. mightn’t (correct)
3. [Multiple choice]
Is ‘will’ more or less certain than ‘must’?
(‘will’ means something is more or less certain.
‘must’ means something is highly probable.
)
Answers for Quiz [3].
- 1. more definite (correct)
- 2. less definite
4. [Multiple choice]
Is ‘can’ more certain or less certain than ‘could’?
Answers for Quiz [4].
- 1. more certain (correct)
- 2. less certain
5. [Multiple choice]
If Jennifer may arrive by 10 and Mark should arrive by 10, who will arrive first, probably?
(Mark should arrive first – ‘should’ is more certain than ‘may’.)
Answers for Quiz [5].
- 1. Mark (correct)
- 2. Jennifer
6. [Multiple choice]
What are the two modals that convey the least probability of an event taking place?
(In order of certainty ‘will’ is the most definite, and might and could are the least certain.
will
must
can
should
may
might
could
)
Answers for Quiz [6].
- 1. will and might
- 2. can and could
- 3. could and might (correct)
- 4. will and may
- 5. may and might
- 6. can and should
- 7. must and may