The tense of possibility MODALS The tense of possibility 03/12/2018

POSSIBILITY The GCSE examiner wants to see variety. Often the writing tasks will ask you to write a piece that lets you show off your abilities… One thing that they expect to see in all writing is: MODALS – the tense of possibility 03/12/2018

They will… Are you certain? Is there a chance that things might not turn out as you predict? Consider: “The students will like the hot food on offer in the new canteen” All of them? IS there a possibility that you are wrong? How would you re-write this with a modal? 03/12/2018

The students MIGHT… (or should or would) When we use these tenses –subjunctives in Latin and MFL- our writing takes on a more mature appearance and the marks go up! Some modals are really useful because they almost beg you to follow them with “if”… even more possibilities! 03/12/2018

WOULD, SHOULD, MIGHT, MAY… Re-write the following in the subjunctive to convey a sense of possibility: Mr Peel will give us extra homework if we don’t behave. Tottenham will win the Premier League if they buy a good central defender. I will go to the shop where I’ll buy some sweets. If you behave like that, you will never get a girlfriend. 03/12/2018

And the other way round: I might go and buy a house where I should be very happy – if all goes well! I may get chosen for the house rugby team. The children might find the menu unappetising and the staff would struggle with the queue. When the bell goes, I might run down the corridor. If a teacher sees me, I may be punished! 03/12/2018

RULES There are few rules beyond the normal ones: singular subject agrees with singular verb and so on… The important thing is to be brave and to start writing with more interest… go on, try something new today! 03/12/2018