Modal verbs possibility, deduction

mODAL VERBS: POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY AND CERTAINTY

POSSIBILITY

Other words and phrases It's (just/quite/very/entirely) possible that + clause: it's just possible that we'll finish the project by March There's (a/some/a slight/every/a good/strong/real) possibility/chance that + clause or of+ -ing verb: There's every possibility that the business will succeed.

Modal verbs: may, might, could Use may (not), might (not) or could (but not could not) to say it's possible that something is true, happens or will happen, but we don't know: the photocopier isn't working - there may be some paper stuck Note: can is used to say that something is a general possibility but not with reference to any particular occasion or event: children can be annoying but you may find my children annoying when they make a lot of noise Use may, might, could + well/easily to say something os a strong possibility: the weather may well improve by the weekend Use may, might, could + possibility/conceivably or just might to say something is a remote possibility: my boss could conceivably change her mind and decide oto give me a pay increase

probability

Modal verbs: should, shouldn't Use should and shouldn't to say that ypu expect something is or will be true: you're extremely qualified - you should have no difficulty landing the job Other words and phrases be (quite/very/highly) likely / unlikely + infinitive or it's (quite/very/highly) likely that + clause: He's likely to make the same mistake again. There's little/some/every/a strong likelihood of + -ing verb or that + clause: I'd say there's a strong likelihood of him getting a first class degree.

certainty

Other words and phrases It's (just/quite/very/entirely) possible that + clause: it's just possible that we'll finish the project by March There's (a/some/a slight/every/a good/strong/real) possibility/chance that + clause or of+ -ing verb: There's every possibility that the business will succeed.

Modal verbs: must, can't, couldn't Use must (affirmative) and can't/couldn't (negative) to express things you feel certain about because you have evidence: with so many customers, they must be making a lot of money Note: mustn't is not used to express certainty but prohibition Other words and phrases be bound to + infinitive: this machine is very badly designed. It's bound to break down before long.

notes on modal verbs

Modal verbs: may, might, could To talk about actions in progress now or aaranged for the future, use the continuous form (modal verb + be + -ing): you all must be wondering why I have called this meeting. To talk about actions in the past, use modal verb + have + past participle: Martin is abroad at the moment, so you can't/couldn't have seen him yesterday, To talk about actions which took place over a period of time in the past, use the past continuous form, modal verb + have been + -ing verb: Ulrike wasn't in when I called - she may have been doing the shopping, I suppose.