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Expressing Probability. Will, Could, May, Might

The document discusses the use of modal verbs will, might, may and could to express different levels of certainty about future and present events or situations. It provides examples of using these modal verbs in sentences and conversations. It also discusses expressing probability using other expressions like likely, unlikely, probably and definitely.

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Azadeh Saghafii
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38 views2 pages

Expressing Probability. Will, Could, May, Might

The document discusses the use of modal verbs will, might, may and could to express different levels of certainty about future and present events or situations. It provides examples of using these modal verbs in sentences and conversations. It also discusses expressing probability using other expressions like likely, unlikely, probably and definitely.

Uploaded by

Azadeh Saghafii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Use will to say you are sure about something in the future:

 People will do most of their shopping online in the future.


 The meeting will be held on the third floor.

You can also use will to talk about now, or about things in general:

 A Let's call Nathalie.

B No, she'll be in the car.

 He's always complaining so no one will listen to him.

Use might, may and could say you're not sure about something now or in the future:

 Chinese might / may / could become the most important language in the world. [future]
 A Where's Kimiko?

B I don’t know. She might / may / could be at work. [now]

 There might / may / could be thousands of animal species we don't know about. (in general)

* May is a little more formal than might. May is more common in formal kinds of writing but might is
more common in everyday speech.

* There is an important difference between could and can:

 The supermarket could be crowded on Saturday. (= It's possible that it will be crowded on
Saturday.)
 The supermarket can be crowded on Saturday. |= It is sometimes crowded on Saturday.]

Use will and may with other words to show that you are more or less sure:

 Nathalie will definitely be there for the meeting.


 Nathalie will probably be there. Also: Nathalie may well be there.
 Possibly / Maybe / Perhaps Nathalie will be there.

You can also use be likely to and be unlikely to express probability:

 Don't call Nathalie now. She’s likely to be busy at work.


 She's unlikely to have her mobile switched on.
 Try her landline. She's more likely to be at home than at work.
 She’s unlikely to answer her calls while she’s at work.
Complete the conversations with will, won't or might.

1. A Kimiko’s got her driving test tomorrow. Do you think she ------- pass?
B Hm, she’s not really prepared. She --------- pass if she gets a nice examiner.
A Yeah, she’s so nervous she ------- panic and make mistakes.

2. A -------- it be hot enough tomorrow to have a picnic?


B Well, the weather forecast says it -------- be 35°.
A Yeah, but they ------- be wrong. They often are.

3. A Shall we go to Luigi's for dinner?


B Yes, but it ------- be fully booked; it’s sometimes busy.
A No, I'm sure it ------- be full on a Monday night.
B Well, you ------- be right, but let's ring anyway.

Rewrite the underlined parts of the conversation using the modal verbs and
expressions of probability.

A What do you think has happened to Monica?


B ‘Perhaps she’s stuck in traffic. might
A Yeah, but the train leaves in ten minutes, I'll phone her.
B She probably won't answer the phone if she’s driving. be unlikely to
A Let's phone Vijay. “He probably knows where she is. may well
… OK. He says “he’s sure she'll be here soon. definitely
B Will Elisa come, do you think?
A Hm, ‘she'll probably have a lie in! be more likely to
B Yeah. What do you think the training will be like?
A I haven't a clue. Maybe it'll be interesting. could
B I hope so. Anyway, what are you doing this evening?
A Well, perhaps I'll have a quiet evening in. I'm a bit tired. May
B No, really? Come round to mine. I know Jon’s cooking! will definitely
A Oh look, here's Monica!

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