modal verbs future possibility exercises

Might not shows that something probably is not true. Must can be used in the same way to show certainty in the past.Īlthough might and could express possibility in a similar way, the negative forms of might and could are different. May, might, and could are all used to show possibility in the past.

Have to is much less formal than must, and is common in conversation. (Although it seems obvious, it is not a fact that the runner is tired.) Present: Where are my keys? They could be in the car.įuture: We could go to the party tonight.Ĭertainty, or the belief of certainty, from the speaker.

Something is possible in the present or future. Might is less formal than may, and is more common in conversation Where are my keys? They might be in the car.Side effects of this medication may include upset stomach and fever.May is formal and is often found in writing, like this example: Present: Where are my keys? They may be in the car.May shows possibility in the present or the future. You can find links to the exercises at the bottom of the page. This modal verbs for possibility lesson shows you how to use them all correctly in English. However, it is his best guess.Several modal verbs show possibility, including might, may, could, and must. (The speaker doesn’t know for sure that his wife went shopping. She may (might, could) have gone shopping. The use of could implies a little more certainty. May, might and could convey the idea that a speaker is only 50% or less certain that something happened. He might not have heard the phone, or he might not have wanted to talk to anyone.) (The speaker believes this is the most logical reason why Jim doesn’t answer the phone. I’ve phoned Jim several times, but he doesn’t answer. The speaker uses must have studied hard to show that he/she thinks this is the most logical reason they did so well.) For example: It might have been very easy, or they might have already learned the material. (There are other possible reasons why the students did well on the test. Must have + past participle shows a great deal of certainty that something happened, but there is still some doubt in the speaker’s mind.

Modal verbs future possibility exercises