MODAL VERBS POSSIBILITY
- isn’t can’t be could be may/might be must be is +
Look at the following examples: Anna’s too far behind / win the race Anna’s too far behind. She can’t win the race. Bought a lottery ticket / be a millionaire I’ve bought a lottery ticket. You could be a millionaire! Don’t know where Dad is / be in the garden I don’t know where Dad is. He may be in the garden. Sky looks cloudy / rain The sky looks cloudy. It might rain. Wears a wedding ring / be married She wears a wedding ring. She must be married
Guess who it is!!! He studied journalism and advertising at college. He wears a wedding ring. He speaks with an American accent. He gives a lot of money to charity. He travels to lots of film festivals for work. He has six children. BRAD PITT
FILL IN THE GAPS If something is bound to happen, it will _________________ certainly happen. (almost) If something is likely to take place, it will __________________ take place. (probably) If something might happen, you can also say that it _____________ happen. (may) If there’s a chance that something will happen, it means it is that it will ____________ happen. (possibly)
FILL IN THE GAPS If you expect something to happen, it means you ____________ it will happen. (think/believe) If you think that something is unlikely, it means it is ______________ not going to happen. (probably) If you doubt that something will happen, it means you think it is __________ going to happen. (not)
Do the exercise A friend is taking an exam next week. Will she pass? Look at the percentage (%) and write sentences with a similar meaning. Don’t use the verb think. PASS? She’ll definitely pass. 100% yes ___________________ 95% yes ___________________ 75% yes ___________________ 50% yes ___________________ 25% yes ___________________ 100% no
KEY: PASS? She’ll definitely pass. 100% yes She’s bound to pass. 95% yes She’s likely to pass. 75% yes She might pass. 50% yes I doubt she’ll pass. 25% yes She can’t pass. 100% no