MODAL VERBS

The modal verbs may/might, probably and will are

generally used to express a degree of certainty of an
action occurring.

MAY/MIGHT
We use may/might when the possibility of something happening is approximately
40%. They can be used for past speculations whilst may can be used to ask for
and to give permission. Might is preferred in spoken English.

It is cloudy, it might rain. (40% chance)

I am tired but I may go to the gym. (50% chance)
Yes you may sit next to me. (Giving permission - may)
May I see your letter? (Asking for permission - may)
He is very angry, he might have argued with his boss.
(Past speculation)
They seem very happy, they may have won the lottery.
(Past speculation)

PROBABLY
We use probably when the possibility of something happening is approximately
60-70%. For future possibilities it is used with will. It can also be used for past
speculations with the past simple or would.

Those clouds are dark, it will probably rain soon. (70% chance)
I am tired but I will probably go to the gym. (75% chance)
We're losing 3-0, we probably won't win. (75% chance)
The government will probably not win this election. (70%)
There's a card here with no name on it. It was probably sent by
my mum, she's always doing that. (Past speculation)
We probably would have won if we scored that penalty.
(Past speculation)

WILL
We use will when the possibility of something happening is approximately
90-100%. Will isn't used for past speculation.

Those clouds are really dark, it will rain soon. (95% chance)
I am tired but I will go to the gym. (95% chance)
We're losing 5-0, we won't win. (99% chance)
The government will not win this election. (90%)
I will visit you next week. (Promise. 90%)
We will help you clean the beach. (Volunteering. 90%)
They will go shopping tomorrow. (Arrangement. 90%)
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MODAL VERBS:
MAY, MIGHT, WILL & PROBABLY

Warmer

What might happen in class....

⎪ Divide your class into pairs.

⎪ Ask each group to make a list of things that might, may, probably and will happen
during this class.
⎪ Share each pairs answers with the rest of the class. When the lesson has ended,
take another look at these lists and see which pair had the most correct answers:

May (40%) Might (30%)

Probably (70%) Will (90%)

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MODAL VERBS:
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Main usage

May and might are used to:

⎪ Express possibility of an action or event.

Probably is used to express:

⎪ The probability or likelihood of an action or event

Will is used to express:

⎪ A definite action.

Construction

May / Might
We may go abroad next year. (50% chance)
We might go to New York next year. (50% chance)
They may not come with us to New York. (40% chance)
They might not like to fly. (50% chance)

May or might refer to a possibility – let’s say it’s 30 to 50% likely.

Probably
We will probably take two weeks vacation. (75% chance)
We probably won’t go to Japan next year. (75% chance)

Probably is not a possibility – it’s a probability. So, let’s say it’s 75% likely.

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MODAL VERBS:
MAY, MIGHT, WILL & PROBABLY

Will
We will definitely take a vacation in the summer. (95% chance)
We won’t miss this opportunity. (90% chance)

Will is a near definite – neither a possibility nor a probability. It’s 90-100% likely.

Don’t forget that may can also be used to request permission or make a formal
request.
May I take this brochure, please?
May I request an appointment with the person in charge?

Exercise 1

Match the phrases in the green box with those in the yellow box.

1. It might rain
2. We’re probably not going to finish the project on time
3. We won’t complete the project on time.
4. We may finish the project on time
5. It’s probably going to rain.

A. It’s likely it will rain

B. It’s possible that it will rain
C. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll finish the project on time.
D. There is no way we will finish the project on time.
E. There is a possibility thet we’ll finish the project on time.

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B1 MODAL VERBS:
MAY, MIGHT, WILL & PROBABLY

Exercise 2

Write the correct answer using the verbs in brackets with one of the
likelihood expressions in the box below

may might probably will

1. Are you going to the show tonight, John? I’m fairly sure I’m going, I

__________ (be) there.

2. Is the boss going to give us a bonus this year? There is a possibility that he

_________ (give) us a bonus!

3. The weather is unpredictable: cloudy and sunny. It __________ (rain).

4. Are you coming to the game? Yes, absolutely! We __________ (be) there!

5. Will the president of the country attend the congress? No, it’s highly unlikely

that he __________ (be) there.

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MODAL VERBS:
MAY, MIGHT, WILL & PROBABLY

Exercise 3

Avoiding a direct answer

⎪ Students work in pairs.

⎪ Distribute the role-play cards. One student plays the Manager and the
other person plays the Polite Employee.
⎪ Students perform the role-play, using the modals they have learned in this
unit to express possibility, probability and definite action.
⎪ When everyone has finished the role-play, you can allow them to exchange
roles if there is time.

Manager
You’re a manager of a small marketing team. Your
partner in China needs a marketing member of your
team to work directly from Beijing. You’d like to offer the
opportunity to your best marketing employee. Make the
offer and explain when the job may start, how long the
contract will be and how much the salary may be.
Nothing is definite so express only possible and probable
information.

Polite Employee
You receive an offer from your manager (your partner)
today to go to Beijing, China. He doesn’t know how long
the contract is and he’s also not sure about the salary. You
are not ready to make a commitment to this job as you
have personal responsibilities at home. Use polite phrases
to explain what may be possible or probable for you. You
want to keep your job so express interest but don’t make
any promises!

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MODAL VERBS:
MAY, MIGHT, WILL & PROBABLY

Exercise 4

Complete the dialogue using the words in the boxes below:

May might probably will

A: Hello, neighbor! I heard that you’re going on holiday next week!

B: Hi, Joan. Well, we ______ go on holiday. In fact, we’re not sure because we
______ have to cancel our trip.
A: Oh dear! Why is that?
B: Well, we’re waiting to see if I get my bonus from work! We need the money to
pay for the trip.
A: Did you ask your boss?
B: Yes, I asked him. He said that I will ______ get the bonus, but the top director
must approve it.
A: So, I guess you can’t book your flights!
B: That’s right! We ______ book the flights as soon as we know that I have the
money.
A: Well, good luck! You ______ get it – you’re such a good worker!

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MODAL VERBS:
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Chatterbox

Answer the following questions using the modal verbs you have learned in this
lesson:
Are you going to visit an English speaking country next summer?
Will you be able to speak English by the end of this course?
Are you eating out tonight?
Are you going to visit your family this weekend?

Activity

I have a complaint…. Divide the class into pairs and give each pairing one of the
situations below. One of the pair is making a verbal complaint whilst the other is
trying to deal with the irate customer. The complaints should start politely but
become more aggressive as the situation isn’t dealt with sufficiently.

1. A customer complains that his 2. A customer complains to his or her

chicken is uncooked to a waiter. internet provider that the internet is
too slow.

3. A customer complains to an airline 4. A customer complains that the

company that their fees for carrying customer service in the post office is
extra kilos in the suitcase are too expensive. terrible.

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