Modal verbs of possibility: present / future

Modals of possibility (50/50)

May, Might & Could

In English, there are three main modals of possibility: may (not), might (not) , and could. **Notice
with could there is no negative for possibility.

Modal + Bare infinitive

Function

We use these modals to describe a possible action. Because of the uncertainty, these modals are
often used to talk about the future, though sometimes we want to express possibility in
the present.

 I may go traveling next year. (future possibility)

 My keys might be in the car. (present possibility)

Examples

 They might attend the awards ceremony tomorrow night.

 He could call you back tonight.
 We could choose a new color of paint for the bedroom.
 I might join you if I finish early.
 The results of the study may shed some light on this condition.

Differences in Meaning

When it comes to the meaning of may, might, and could for possibility, I would argue that, at least
in North American English, there is no difference in meaning except formality. Whatever you do,
please remind students that may is quite formal! Textbooks always present the three modals
together, and students might use may in everyday speech unless we point out that it’s not
common to do so. Emphasize that they might see and use may in formal writing, but in speaking
and informal writing, they should stick to might and could. (Note that this is the preference in North
America)

Modal verbs of probability (deduction)

Must, can't: expressing present probability

We use must to express that we feel sure The team is playing really well today; they must
that something is true. win.
They must be very rich – look at their big house!

We use can't to say we are sure that She can't be so ill – I saw her playing volleyball
something is impossible. yesterday.
I don't believe you – it can't be true.
 MODALS OF PAST DEDUCTION

When you say that you are fairly certain that something has happened, we use should
have or ought to have followed by a past participle.
  He should have heard from them by now, it's been a week.
  They ought to have arrived by now, their plane landed two hours ago.

  We use should have or ought to have to say that you expected something to happen -- but

it didn't.
  Yesterday should have been the start of the basketball season.
  She ought to have been made manager by now.

Must have, can't have, couldn't have:

expressing past probability

Structure: modal verb + have + past participle

must have been, can't have gone, couldn't have gone, etc.

We use must have to express that we feel They must have left early.

sure that something was true in the past. He must have already gone.

We use can't have or couldn't have to say He can't have escaped through this window – it’s too
that we believe something was impossible small.
in the past. She can't have said that.
She couldn't have said that.

May / might / could have: expressing past probability

Structure: modal + have + past participle

may have been, could have gone, might have lost, etc.

We use may have, could have, might He may have missed the bus.

have to say that it was possible that The road might have been blocked.
something happened in the past (but we are (= ‘I think the road was blocked, but I’m not
not 100% sure). 100% sure.’)

The negatives are may not He may not have left yet.

have and might not have. I might not have given her the money; I’m
We don’t use couldn’t have in the same not sure.
way. I could not have given her the money, I’m
not sure.
Future possibility
To refer to future possibility, use:

May / Might / Could + the verb (base form without ‘to’) + future time marker

 It’s cold outside. It may snow later on.

 Joe might come to our party next weekend.
 Your daughter is really smart. She could be very successful someday.

Signal Words

Below are some words that might be used or indicate use of will, may and/or might.

Today…..

Tomorrow….

Soon…

Someday…

This….(afternoon, week, month, etc.)

Next… (week, year, month, etc.)

Any future time can be used with will, may and might.

1. They ____ have been here by now. What's the time?       

2. She ____ be at work. Today's her day off.       

3. That ____ be Kole at the door, he said he'd stop by.       

4. You haven't eaten today? You ____ be starving!       

5. The weather forecast for tomorrow is excellent. Yes, it ____ be lovely.       

6. Your son got a scholarship? You ____ be very proud.       

7. She ___ have failed the exam, she knew all the answers.       

8. He opened a business in the new mall. I know it ____ do well.       

9. He ____ be home by now. He just left.       

10. "My coat isn't where I left it." "Someone ____ have taken it."

Exercise instructions
Fill in each gap using must, can’t, could, may or might.
1. I'm sure he is here - I can see his car in front of the building.
He ______________  be here. I can see his car in front of the building. 
2. They're coming this week but I don't know which day.
They  ______________  be coming tomorrow. 
3. I'm not sure I'm going to pass the exam. I don't feel very confident.
I ______________   pass the exam. I don't feel very confident. 
4. I've bought a lottery ticket. There's a chance I'll become a millionaire!
I    ______________become a millionaire! 
5. I'm sure she doesn't speak French very well - she's only lived in Paris for a few weeks.
She ______________   speak French very well. She's only lived in Paris for a few weeks. 
6. My key's not in my pocket or on my desk so I'm sure it's in the drawer.
My key's not in my pocket or on my desk so it  ______________  be in the drawer. 
7. Someone told me that Mark was in Mexico but I saw him yesterday so I'm sure he's not
abroad.
Mark  ______________  be abroad. 
8. You got the job? That's great. I'm sure you're delighted.
You got the job? That's great. You   be delighted. 
9. They told me to prepare the project by tomorrow but it's almost impossible to have it done so
fast.
I    ______________ finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I'm not sure. 
10. I asked them to send the goods as soon as possible. We   ______________ receive them by
the end of the week if the post is fast.