MODAL VERBS MAY-MIGHT-COULD

• We can use modal verbs in many different ways

• We use them to show possibilities COULD , MIGHT , MAY for present or
future possibilities.

• They could be brothers , they look so alike.

• Where are my keys? –they might still be in the car.
• It’s raining here but it may be sunny there.
• You can use of these and they show the same result. Be careful with
• May be : it may be sunny : modal
• Maybe: maybe it is sunny : adverb
For the future possibilities
• It could cost more than you think
• You might miss the train unless you leave now
• I may be around five minutes late.

• Peopel understand the meaning of the sentences from the context.

• She might be there already (present)
• She might be there tomorrow. (tomorrow)
FOR NEGATIVE POSSIBILITIES WE USE
MAY-MIGHT
• We don’t use could for negative possibilities

• She might not be ready

• He may not be able to help you
• They might not know the answer
•
 • We use can to talk about general
She might be there tomorrow possibility
• It can take many hours to get to the
Jack may be at the party tomorrow
airport if the traffic is bad
We are talking about one specific
• It can be very wet and cold in spring
possibilty
here
• He can be very difficult to deal with
when he is in bad mood.
• Moving countries cab be a stressful
experience.
 DEDUCTIONS
• Could . We use MUST when we are
sure about something.(you give a
reason to show why you think
something is possible)
• The baby is crying. He must be
hungry.
• I thought Sara would be here by now.
She must be stuck in the traffic.
• They didn’t eat any of the meat, they
must be vegetarian.
•
• We use CAN’T to express an
impossibilitiy
• He won the lottery! – that can’t be
true.
• He traveled to China. That can’t be
possible. I saw him in the morning.
• You can’t be serious, he is not the
best player.