Advanced modal auxiliary verbs english learning resources. The following modal verbs are used to express possibility. Jan 21, 2020 modal verbs of probability are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has. Past modals of possibility and probability discussion. This modal verbs for possibility lesson shows you how to use them all correctly in english. Expressing possibility we use may, might and could to express possibility in the past and in the future. Jun 16, 2016 degrees of certainty in the present and past grammar expert betty azar explains that these modals tell us how sure speakers are about what they are saying. Modals of possibility when you are sure something is possible or true must he must be cold 16. Expressing certainty and possibility upperintermediate esl. Except for this use, couldnt expresses negative deduction, not possibility. All of them except for need can express degress of certainty, probability or possibility of an event. They cannot be used with the willfuture, they have no infinitive, no toinfinitive, no ing form, and no past participle. This presentation explains how the modals cannot, cant, must, ought, should, and will are used to express probability or certainty.
English grammar practice exercise, intermediate level. Modal verbs of certainty one of the meanings of modal verbs is to do with degrees of certainty. Fill in each gap using must, cant, could, may or might. After explaining the modals used for ability, permission, requests and advice expressions in part1 of modals lesson. Modals of probability present choose the best sentences to score your knowledge of modals of probability.
That must be maria on the phone shes the only person with my new number. We use modal auxiliary verbs can, may, must in the english language for various meanings ability, possiblity, probability, certainty, permission, prohibition. Modal verbs of probability modal verb meaning must will future very sure can very sure ability should expect it to happen might a good chance may 50 50 may not mightnt about 3040% could it is possible wont couldnt cant mustnt negative very sure select the right modal. Offers and invitations using can, shall and would obligation and necessity using must possibility using could, might. Neither do the ones dealt with here, in these meanings, have a past form.
Efl esl activities and games to teach expressing certainty and possibility. A criticism a fill the gaps with must have, might have or cant have. Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise. Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals.
I you he she it we they must might could may cant have been at work. Modal verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility. Deduction means using the information available to make a guess or draw a conclusion about the facts. The most commonly used modals are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, used to, need and dare. Modal verbs exercises pdf can, may, must, need not. Modals of certainty in the present exercise 1 choose the correct modal to complete the sentence. Modals of possibility when you are sure something is possible or true must he must be cold he must be mad. Expressing possibility, probability and certainty by. If you use an ios or android device, you can get offline access to these materials through the tefl handbook. They express modes such as ability, possibility, probability, permission, obligation, etc. Grammar worksheet modals of probability past find the matching sentences below be careful. That will be maria on the phone she said shed call.
In this section, we are going to clarify the modals which express. There is an explanation followed by a fill in exercise and the key. You can find links to the exercises at the bottom of the page. Can, could, may, might, must, have to, shall, should, will, would. Show all questions alex wanted to get the promotion very much, but he didnt. Click here for all the exercises about modal verbs we can use these modal verbs also called modals of deduction, speculation or certainty when we want to make a guess about something. In this sentence, the speaker is nearly sure that the person is at work based on the speakers knowledge that the person in. The exercises use reallife situations to practise grammar in context.
I you he she it we they must be might be could be may be cant be at work. Modal verbs exercises english exercises for all levels. This video explains the use of may, might, could, must, and should to show degrees of possibility or certainty in english. Modal auxiliary verbs can express different degrees of certainty about an action or a fact. Modal verbs of certainty, probability and possibility. Modal verbs of probability exercise pdf autoenglish. Expressing certainty and possibility upperintermediate.
Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise check through the different uses. Modal verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses. This esl lesson plan contains activities, games and resources that teach upperintermediate level students how to express certainty and possibility in english. We can always use had to be meaning must have been to express certainty in. Expressing possibility, probability and certainty possibility detail 1 may, may not, might, might not,could to say its possible that something is true, happens or will happen, but we dont know. They must be here somewhere because i used them to open the front door. I meet my boss at ten oclock every day a statement of fact i might see my boss tonight the modal might expresses a probability or. In this exercise you will practise using modal verbs to express present probability. The meaning of must here is extrinsic and describes certainty or a real possibility. We also use modal verbs to ask permission or to give advice. Depending on the information available, you might be more certain that your conclusion is true, or less certain that your. Modals a maymight permission, possibility learn english. Modals of possibility and probability for past situations exercise 1. This is a 2page worksheet for revising modal verbs at preintermediate level.
This modal verbs for possibility exercise checks your understanding of using may, must, and have to. Todays lesson will focus on using modal verbs for certainty, probability, and deduction. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention modal verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention. Mar 04, 2018 this video explains the use of may, might, could, must, and should to show degrees of possibility or certainty in english. Show all questions i dont know why vivian didnt attend the staff meeting this afternoon. Choose the correct option for these modal verbs of possibility. The most definite degree of certainty can be expressed with will and wont, followed by must and cantcouldn. The most commonly used modals are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to. Esl modal verbs of possibility and certainty activity listening and speaking elementary a1a2 20 minutes here is a possibility and certainty guessing game to help students learn how to use the modal verbs could, may and might for possibility and must for certainty. The verbs may and might are used to say that something is possibly true.
A in general the usual restrictions on the use of modals remain valid. Several modal verbs show possibility, including might, may, could, and must. We all know that modals have not indicate tenses, and they only reflect four different aspects of simple, continoues, perfect and perfect continoues. We can use these modal verbs also called modals of deduction, speculation or certainty when we want to make a guess about something. John always fails the tests, even though hes clever. You should have apologised a criticism you shouldnt have said that.
We use will to express a strong possibility that something is true, especially when we dont have actual evidence at the moment. Modals of ability, possibility and certainty 1 cross out the bold word in each sentence which is not possible. Mar 27, 2011 modals of possibility when you are sure something is possible or true must make a sentence with must 15. World history past modals of possibility and probability discussion questions choose one of the conspiracy theories below and change the sentence with words and expressions in the useful language box below to make it have the amount of likelihood that. Modals of possibility and certainty linkedin slideshare. Modals of possibility and probability for past situations exercise 2 choose the correct modal to complete the sentence. I might have made a mistake there is a possibility that i made a mistake. Modal verbs of probability are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has. The first three sentences use modals of possibility. The modal auxiliaries will, shall, can and must can be used to express complete certainty. Unit 7 possibility and probability oxford living grammar explains how grammar works and when to use it.
Expressing certainty we use must to express that something is necessary true or logically true. Mixed modal verbs exercises intermediate level esl. He must work harder to pass his exams modal verbs are followed by infinitive without to except from ought to. Exercise 1 complete the blanks with must, cant, or might. We can always use had to be meaning must have been to express certainty in the past. Advanced modal auxiliary verbs weloveteachingenglish. Past modal verbs of deduction exercise she must have gone out there is strong evidence. Modal verbs never add an s in the third person singular. To talk about past ability and possibility, we use couldcouldnt or waswere able. This lesson consolidates your students knowledge of expressing possibility and probability with the modal verbs may, might, could, must and cant with the opportunity to. Aug 20, 2009 modal verbs of certainty one of the meanings of modal verbs is to do with degrees of certainty. Could, might, and may, shown in red, plus the base form of a main verb shown in blue.
Put another way, you use modal verbs when you want to guess something, notes perfect english. Base of this assumption why in some parts you keep saying this modal use for past certainty, for example they must have practiced too much. For example, some of them can be used to show possibility or probability. There are 4 different activities in which students are asked to fill in the gaps with a suitable modal verb, re. Modal verbs can be used to express these ideas about the past, present and future. English esl possibility worksheets most downloaded 16 results.
To express certainty in the past, we use must have, cant have and couldnt have. Modal verbs of probability perfect english grammar. Type use modal verbs example 1 to express possibilities for the future could, may, might it may rain tomorrow. Could, might, and may have the same meaning, but one is more formal than the other two, and thats may. A criticism a fill the gaps with must have, might have or can. Grammar worksheet modals of probability with be find the matching sentences below be careful. We can use modals of possibility to refer to the past, present or future. English esl possibility worksheets most downloaded 16. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. May expresses a greater degree of certainty you should ask him. Modal verbs for possibility exercise learnenglishonline. Modals of possibility might may could must cant you must be joking.
Modals are those helping verbs, which express the mode or manner of the actions indicated by the main verbs. There is a grammar explanation at the bottom of the page. Depending on the information available, you might be more certain that your conclusion is true, or less certain that your conclusion is true. I created this worksheet for my intermediate students, but it can be. There is an explanation of the use of can, could and be able to for ability and possibility followed by a gap fill exercise and the key. Lesson 10 modals part 3 todays lesson will focus on using modal verbs for certainty, probability, and deduction. To express certainty in the present, we use must, cantandcouldnt.
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