Modals of Probability Could, might, may, must

Form: Present time or future time Subject modal verb (basic form) + + The modal NEVER changes form The main verb that follows is ALWAYS the basic form of the verb. This might belong to a teacher! This must belong to a witch! There’s no candy left in the store! Tomorrow must be Halloween!

To form the negative…. Subject modal NOT The modal NEVER changes. + NOT + + verb The modal NEVER changes. The witch may not like her hat. She might not wear it on Halloween. He couldn’t be a ghost! He’s not dead!

Modals: in the past Subject modal have verb (past participle) + + + The modal NEVER changes…have never changes The MAIN VERB is the Past Participle (Click here for a quick review of past participles) She might have lost her hat and broom. Someone might have hidden them. Her wicked sister must have stolen them! Look! There she is!

The negative form in the past… To form the negative in the past, put not AFTER THE MODAL. Subject modal not have past participle + + + + Example: Did you see your friends? No. they might not have arrived yet. Note: In spoken conversation, not and have are pushed together. It sounds like “No, they might not’ve arrived yet.” This is ONLY in spoken English, not written English.

What do you think about this picture? It must be Halloween! That “ghost” might be a hungry man. He must have used a bed sheet for his costume. He will probably get a lot of candy!

Modals: Continuous action (progressive) Subject modal + + be verb+ing + The modal NEVER changes. The verb is progressive…use BE and verb+ing The witch might be looking for her hat and broom.

What do you think about this picture? This must be a haunted house! The ghosts could be making a lot of noise. The house might not be occupied. The owners must have moved.

What do you think? Who is she talking to? What did the person on the phone tell her? What will she do when she hangs up?

One more….

This is Tom. He’s in a dormitory room at UCI This is Tom. He’s in a dormitory room at UCI. It’s 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. Tom ____________________ (be) a student. He ____________________ (use) his laptop for homework. He ______________________ (eat) his lunch earlier. He ________________________ (live) at home with his parents. What is he going to do tonight? (answer this Q using a modal)

What are past participles? For REGULAR verbs, the past participle is the same as the simple past tense, which uses the –ed ending on the basic verb. Basic verb Simple past Past participle play played walk walked For IRREGULAR verbs, the past participle is not the –ed form. Basic Verb Simple past Past participle eat ate eaten go went gone Back to Past Modals slide