Modal Verbs of Possibility

Modal Verbs of Possibility

What are modal verbs?

Modal verbs are a special type of verb that we place in front of normal verbs to change their meaning.

Subject + MODAL + VERB* + Object.

*We do not change the main verb in any way.

Modal verbs of possiblity can be thought of using this scale from 0% chance to 100% chance of something happening.

100%

Will

Notice how for any situation between 0-100% we can use 'might', 'may', or 'could', to discuss things where we are not sure.

Scale of Possibility

May

Could

50%

Might

Won't

0%

It's important to remember that we can only use 'will' and 'won't' when we are sure that something is possible or not. Before using 'will' or 'won't' in a sentence, you can use phrases like: I know...... I'm sure....... I'm definite..... When we use 'might', 'could', or 'may', we can say: I think.........

Examples:

I will go home after work today. I won't fly back to Ireland again this year. I might get a pizza for dinner later. He could pass the test this time. I may call my friend tonight.**It's worth noting that the modal verb 'may' is rarely used these days. The best modal to use in a 50/50 situation is 'might'.

100%

50/50

That's it for this lesson!