Degrees of Certainty
How certain is it? (present time) Ali has been studying in IEP for 1 and a half years. I’m sure that Ali speaks English well now. Ali must speak English well now. Ali may/might/could speak English well now. less certain more certain 100% 95% 50% Azar p. 180
How sure that it’s not… (present time negative) Sally just ate 4 slices of pizza, so now,… she isn’t hungry anymore. she couldn’t/can’t be hungry anymore. she must not be hungry anymore. she may not/might not be hungry anymore. less certain more certain 100% 99% 50% 95% Azar p. 183
What happened? (past time) I just got home, and my front door is open. My husband opened the door for me. My husband must have opened the door for me. My husband may have/might have/could have opened the door for me. less certain more certain 100% 95% 50% Azar p. 186
What didn’t happen? (past time negative) She didn’t turn in her homework today. She didn’t know we had homework. She couldn’t have/can’t have known we had homework. She must not have known we had homework. She may not have/might not have known we had homework. less certain more certain 100% 99% 50% 95% Azar p. 186
Are you sure that will happen? (future time) My brother has been running for 2-3 hours almost everyday. He will win the race next month. He should/ought to win the race next month. He may/might/could win the race next month. less certain more certain 100% 95% 50% Azar p. 189