Expressing Possibility and Certainty

➧ Learn to use modals of probability | may, might, could, and must | to express different levels of certainty
➧ Practice talking about possibilities and making predictions
➧ Apply these skills in discussing real-world scenarios and future possibilities

Q. Why is it important?
A. Being able to express how sure you are about something is a key communication skill. It allows you to convey your thoughts more accurately, whether you’re making predictions, giving advice, or discussing potential outcomes.

Key Topics
➧ Understanding and using modals of probability
➧ Differentiating between varying degrees of certainty

Examples
➧ It might rain tomorrow. | Possibility
➧ She must be at work by now. | Certainty

Modals of Probability

May
➧ To express a possibility | but not certain

Might
➧ To express a lower probability than "may"

Could
➧ To express a possibility, often implying one of many possible outcomes

Must
➧ To express a high level of certainty or a logical conclusion


May
➧ It may snow later.

Might
➧ They might arrive late.

Could
➧ This could be the solution we’ve been looking for.

Must
➧ You must be tired after the long flight.

Possibility and Certainty

Likelihood
➧ The chance of something happening

Probability
➧ The measure of how likely an event is to occur

Uncertainty
➧ The state of being unsure about something

Assumption
➧ Something that is accepted as true without proof

Prediction
➧ A statement about what will happen in the future

Phrases to Use
➧ It’s quite possible that…
➧ There’s a slim chance of…
➧ There’s a high likelihood that…

Homework
Write a short essay (150-200 words) about a future event or trend you believe might happen. Use at least two modals of probability in your writing.

Example
There’s a possibility that AI could revolutionize many industries. It may even replace some jobs. However, it might take a few more years before we see widespread adoption. People must adapt to this new reality.