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Study Guide of Modals of Possibility

Some modal verbs:

can could

may might

shall should

must

will would

Modals of present and Future Possibility

The form of Modals of possibility

• Present Modals

Words: may/might, could, should, must

Affirmative Statements

Subject + Modal + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1.Wenhao might study very hard

2.Thomas must be studying hard.

Negative Statements

Subject + Modal + Not + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1.Wenhao couldn’t be studying hard.

2. Bing must not be home.

Attention: we often use must not. We can’t use mustn’t.

◆ Future Modals

Words: may/might, could, should, will

Affirmative Statements

Subject + Modal + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1. Phil might get a phone soon.

2. Kai will come back to China soon.

Negative Statements

Subject + Modal + Not + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1. Bing couldn’t be finishing homework later.

2. Wenhao won’t be classroom yet.

Attention: we often use won’t. We can’t use willn’t.

• Present Phrasal Modals

Modal Words: ought to, has to/has got to, have to/have got to

Affirmative Statements

Subject + Modal + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1. Phil has to be eating his sandwich.

2. We have got to have a holiday.

◆ Future Phrasal Modals

Affirmative Statements

Subject + Modal + Main Verb or Be (+ Verb + -ING)

Examples: 1. Bing ought to be playing soccer tomorrow.

2. They have got to be sleeping at home next month.

Modals of Present Possibility

The modal you choose shows how certain you are that something is true.

■ Could, might, might not Less certain

■ May, may not

■ Should, shouldn’t, ought to

■ Must, must not, have to, have got to...