Modals Part 2
A man walked into my apartment and stole the guitar. The thief accidentally left his hat in the apartment. A policewoman at the scene asks me: “Whose hat is this?” How would I answer? Match the answers from column A and Column B. COLUMN A 1. I think the hat looks familiar, but I am not certain whose it is. 2. I think I recognize the that. I am almost sure I know the owner. 3. I have no doubts. I know whose hat it is COLUMN B 1. “It is Joe’s hat.” 2. “I could belong to Joe. It might be Al’s. Or it may belong to Mr. Smith’s across the hall.” “I must be Joe’s hat.”
Degrees of certainty (positive sentences) Why isn’t Leon in class? 100% certain He is sick today. 95% (almost certain) He must be sick. 50% (not so sure)He may be sick. He might be sick. He could be sick. (Complete ex 4 p 182).
Degrees of certainty (negative sentences) 100 % sure Leon isn’t hungry. 99% (almost sure)Leon couldn’t be Leon can’t behungry. 95% (very much sure) Leon must not be hungry. 50% or less Leon may not (might not) be hungry. See Chart See these forms in situational context. Do Ex 7 and 8.