The following modal verbs are used to express possibility. Put another way, you use modal verbs when you want to guess something, notes perfect english. You can find links to the exercises at the bottom of the page. You can use this months grammar target, modals of possibility, to talk about possibilities in the future that relate to the words your students choose. I meet my boss at ten oclock every day a statement of fact i might see my boss tonight the modal might expresses a probability or. I you he she it we they must might could may cant have been at work. Here the word calling is the main verb and the word was is an auxiliary verb. Modals and auxiliaries 12 an auxiliary is a helping verb. Click here to download this exercise in pdf with answers. May expresses a greater degree of certainty you should ask him. They express modes such as ability, possibility, probability, permission, obligation, etc.
The exercises use reallife situations to practise grammar in context. Modal verbs of probability modal verb meaning must will future very sure can very sure ability should expect it to happen might a good chance may 50 50 may not mightnt about 3040% could it is possible wont couldnt cant mustnt negative very sure select the. A collection of english esl worksheets for home learning, online practice, distance learning and english classes to teach about possibility, possibility. Ability we use cancould to describe ability, and we use cantcouldnt to describe absence of ability she could play the piano very well children cant concentrate for long periods of time i can speak chinese possibility we also use can to talk about possibility. Can is not used to talk about specific possibilities. We can always use had to be meaning must have been to express certainty. Grammar worksheet modals of probability past find the matching sentences below be careful. Sophie is in bali this week and she discovers some unusual indonesian food. Modal verbs of probability english grammar exercises. In this sentence, the speaker is nearly sure that the person is at work based on the speakers. A criticism a fill the gaps with must have, might have or cant have. That must be maria on the phone shes the only person with my new number. Several modal verbs show possibility, including might, may, could, and must. Modal verbs for possibility exercise learnenglishonline.
They have various uses such as ability, possiblity or necessity and so on. Complete the sentences using must, cant, may, might, could. Point out that exercise 2 shows us how sure we are about something. Past modal verbs of deduction exercise she must have gone out there is strong evidence. Modal verbs can, could, may, might, should, must, would, will and shall are different from. Can could may might will would must shall should ought to. The most commonly used modals are shall, should, will, would, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, used to, need and dare. A in general the usual restrictions on the use of modals remain valid. This lesson consolidates your students knowledge of expressing possibility and probability with the modal verbs may, might, could, must and cant with the opportunity to. Presenting modals by function can help english language learners keep them all straight. Unit 7 possibility and probability oxford living grammar explains how grammar works and when to use it.
We use may, might and could to talk about present or future possibility. Jan 25, 2017 you can use this months grammar target, modals of possibility, to talk about possibilities in the future that relate to the words your students choose. Click here for all the exercises about modal verbs we can use these modal verbs also called modals of deduction, speculation or certainty when we want to make a guess about something. Esl modal verbs of possibility and certainty activity listening and speaking elementary a1a2 20 minutes here is a possibility and certainty guessing game to help students learn how to use the modal verbs could, may and might for possibility and must for certainty. In the cambridge dictionary grammar, there is a good explanation of the difference between should and ought to please let us know if you have any other specific questions. Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise. May 28, 2015 presenting modals by function can help english language learners keep them all straight. Modals are those helping verbs, which express the mode or manner of the actions indicated by the main verbs. We can use these modal verbs when we want to to say how sure we are that something happened is happening will happen. Advanced modal auxiliary verbs weloveteachingenglish.
The usual restrictions on the use of modals remain valid. Simple modals are the most familiarcan, would, mustwhile phrasal modals also known as periphrastic modals are phrases formed with the verbs be or have. Remind lowerlevel students that a base verb is one with no endings no ing, ed. Choose the correct form of can, could, be able to affirmative or negative. Modals of possibility and probability for past situations exercise 2 choose the correct modal to complete the sentence. Lesson 10 modals part 3 todays lesson will focus on using modal verbs for certainty, probability, and deduction. As you watch the video, look at the examples of modals of deduction. Most grammars consider ought to a semimodal, that is, a verb that is in some ways like a modal and in other ways like a main verb. A criticism a fill the gaps with must have, might have or can. Modal verbs of probability exercise 1 perfect english grammar. Modal verb rules, exercises and worksheets edumantra. They cannot be used with the willfuture, they have no infinitive, no toinfinitive, no ing form, and no past participle. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention. Questions like fill in the gaps with a suitable modal verb and write its function.
Some examples of phrasal modals are have got to or be allowed to. There is an explanation of the use of can, could and be able to for ability and possibility followed by a gap fill exercise and the key. Click here for all the exercises about modal verbs. Jan 21, 2020 modal verbs of probability are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has. I you he she it we they must be might be could be may be cant be at work. We use will to express a strong possibility that something is true, especially when we dont have actual evidence at the moment.
Modals and example sentences, modals of possibility in english, expressions and example sentences. Modal verbs of probability perfect english grammar. Jan 16, 2020 grammar worksheet modals of probability. All of them except for need can express degress of certainty, probability or possibility of an event. Modal verbs of probability are used to express an opinion of the speaker based on information that the speaker has. Use a form of be able to only if a form of can or could is not possible. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, modals of deduction correctly. Show all questions i dont know why vivian didnt attend the staff meeting this afternoon. To talk about past ability and possibility, we use couldcouldnt or waswere able to. This is a free advanced english grammar quiz and esl worksheet. We choose the modal verb depending on how sure we are.
Modal verbs can, could, may, might, must, should, ought to. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Can could exercises may might must have to shall should will would mixed modals exercises had better home. Sprout englishs featured fun grammar lesson on modals of possibility is a simple introduction to these common modals. Can, could, be able to ability and possibility test english.
Future possibility and probability modals exercise 1 choose the correct modal to complete the sentence. John always fails the tests, even though hes clever. Choose the correct option for these modal verbs of possibility. Type use modal verbs example 1 to express possibilities for the future could, may, might it may rain tomorrow. After working with modals of advice, possibility, and obligation, write the following riddle on the board and see if students can answer the question. Modal verbs of possibility and certainty esl activities.
Here are some examples of modals of probability without be verbs she must study in the evening. In english, there are three main modals of possibility. You should have apologised a criticism you shouldnt have said that. In this lesson, students learn to use modals to make future predictions. Last week, we went to the beach and i could see that she can swim and surf really well. Neither do the ones dealt with here, in these meanings, have a past form. Modal verbs of possibility and certainty pdf esl activities, games and interactive and printable worksheets for teachers to use with a1, a2 and b1 levels.
I might have made a mistake there is a possibility that i made a mistake. After you use this readymade lesson, try this followup listening. Present modal verbs of deduction and probability exercise check through the different uses. This modal verbs for possibility exercise checks your understanding of using may, must, and have to. This modal verbs for possibility lesson shows you how to use them all correctly in english. Perfect modals and their meanings modal meaning example may have past possibility not certain john may have been at the library yesterday. Future possibility and probability modals exercise 1. Grammar worksheet modals of probability with be find the matching sentences below be careful.
Fill in all the gaps, then press check to check your answers. Is this the second conditional without the condition or does it refer to the past modal for. They practice these modals in writing, drawing, and group work exercises. English esl possibility worksheets most downloaded 16 results. Modals of deduction learnenglish teens british council. In the cambridge dictionary grammar, there is a good explanation of the difference between should and ought to. Modal verbs worksheets, printable exercises pdf, handouts.
Modal verbs for deduction exercise 1 complete the blanks with must, cant, or might. Modal verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility. Modal verbs of probability exercise pdf autoenglish. The words be, have, do, can, could, may, might, shall, should, must, will, would, used, need, dare, ought are called auxiliaries. English esl possibility worksheets most downloaded 16. The words be, have, do, can, could, may, might, shall, should. But they can also express ideas such as willingness and ability, permission and refusal, obiligation and prohibition, suggestion, necessity, promise and intention modal verbs expressing certainty, probability or possibility. That will be maria on the phone she said shed call. Todays lesson will focus on using modal verbs for certainty. For example, some of them can be used to show possibility or probability. She is one of the most talented person i know, she can cook delicious food, she can drive a car but she rides her bike to work. Understanding modals are important toward an advanced english.
Can, could, be able to ability and possibility test. Depending on the information available, you might be more certain that your conclusion is true, or less certain that your. Test yourself with our free english language quiz about modals. In this lesson we are going to explain the modals which express, ability, permission, requests and advice. Think about these situations and create a sentence using modals. Deduction means using the information available to make a guess or draw a conclusion about the facts.
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