Modal auxiliary verbs of probability (present and future)

All modal verbs express probability or possibility. The most certain is will, the least certain are might and could.
Will May and might
1. Will and won’t are used to predict a future action. 1. May expresses the possibility that an event will happen
I’ll see you later. or is happening now.
2. Will and won’t are also used to express what we We may go to Greece this year, we haven’t decided yet.
believe or guess to be true about the present. 2. Might is used for actions less certain than may.
Leave the meat in the oven. It won’t be cooked yet. It might rain.
Should Could
1. Should expresses things expected to happen; as we 1. Could has a similar meaning to might.
want them to be. You could be right. I’m not sure.
Our guests should be here soon. (if they haven’t lost) 2. The negative of could is not couldn’t, but might not.
2. Should is also used for actions that we want to You might not be right.
happen, but it is not used to express negative ideas. 3. Couldn’t has similarities to can’t, but could is slightly
You should pass the exam, you have worked hard. weaker.
You should fail the exam, you haven’t done anything. She couldn’t have a ten-year-old daughter! She’s only
21 herself.
Must and can’t
1. We use must to speculate about the present expressing certainty that something is true.
She must be at home - her light is on.
2. For the same use in negative sentences we use can’t, not mustn’t.
She can’t be at home - her light is off. She mustn’t be at home-- her light is off.
Other uses of modal auxiliary verbs
Willingness and refusal Permission
1. To express willingness we use will or won’t for 1. May, can and could are used for asking for permission:
a refusal by either people or things. For questions May I go out?
we use shall: 2. May is very formal, but can and could are more common:
I will help you.; The car won’t start. You can use a dictionary in this exam.
Shall I give you a hand? 3. To talk about permission generally, or permission in the past,
2. Past is expressed by wouldn’t: we use can, could and allowed to:
Mum wouldn’t give me any money. Children can/are allowed to do what they want these days.
Ability Obligation
1. Can expresses ability. The past is expressed by could. 1. Modal verb must expresses strong obligation:
I can speak three languages. You must try harder!
2. Other forms are provided by be able to: 2. Other verb forms are provided by have to:
I have never been able to understand her. (Present Perfect) I had to work hard to pass English. (Past Simple)
You will be able to walk again soon. (Future) You will have to do this exercise again. (Future)
3. Fulfilled ability is expressed by was able to, or 3. Must expresses the opinion of the speaker and
managed to, not could: have to expresses a general obligation based on
The prisoner managed to escape by climbing onto the roof. some rule or law:
Advice I must do this again.
1. Advice is expressed by should and ought to: Children have to go to school until they’re
You should go to bed. You look very tired. sixteen. (It’s a law.)
2. To give strong advice or tell them what to do, we use had 4. To express negative obligation, we use mustn’t
better: and don’t have to:
I’m late. I’d (I had) better get a move on. You mustn’t steal.; You don’t have to do that.
Possibility
* Possibility is expressed by can (general), could and might (specific thing).
Life can be difficult at times. They might know the answer.
Requests
1. We can use many verbs to express a request: can/could/will/would:
Can/Could/Will/Would you do me a favour?