Modal verbs for possibility : may,might,could

1. MODAL VERBS FOR
POSSIBILITY

2. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• There are several modal verbs used to show possibility. They are
Might, May, Could, and Must.
• Modal verbs of probability use when we want to make a guess
about something. We choose the verb depending on how sure we
are.

3. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• STRUCTURE
Modal Verb + Base Verb
May/Might/Could/Must + Base Verb
Examples:
It may rain this evening.
She might work late tonight.
Could this really be true?

4. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• May
May shows possibility in the present or the future.
a choice to act or not, or a promise of a possibility.
• Present: Where are my keys? They may be in
the car.
• Future: I may go to the party tonight.

5. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• Might
Might shows possibility in the present or future.
Might is less formal than may, and is more common in
conversation.
• Present: Where are my keys? They might be in the
car.
• Future: The electrician might be finished by tomorrow.

6. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• Could
Could shows that something is possible in the present
or future.
• Present: Where are my keys? They could be in
the car
• Future: You could go to the hairdresser
tomorrow.

7. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• Past Possibility
May, Might, and Could are all used to show
possibility in the
Modal Verb + Have + Past Participle
Ex: He might have brought the cake.
She may have gone home early.
They could have worked late.

8. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• Might not and Could not
Might not shows that something probably is not true.
Ex: These books might not be the teachers.
Might not shows that something probably will not
happen in the future.
Ex: Peter might not come to the party.
Could not shows that something is impossible.
Ex: This could not be the only book available.

9. Modal Verbs for Possibility
1. I (can/might)_____ go to the party but I'm not sure yet.
2. You (couldn't/might not)______ smoke on the bus.
3. I can’t find my watch anywhere. I_____ (could, may,
might) have lost it.
4. I can hear some music coming from that window. He
____(can/might) be at home.
5. It____ rain this evening.
6. He (can/could)________be French, judging by his
accent.

10. Modal Verbs for Possibility
• Reference
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/
http://www.learnenglish-online.com/
legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
http://www.slideshare.net/
http://www.ecenglish.com/
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
http://daily-kannikar.blogspot.com/
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/