Modals for speculating p.89

speculating = guessing

We use modals to speculate (guess) about

We use modals to speculate (guess) about

the futureand

the present

modals = helping verbs

Which modals do we use when we are more certain?

Which modals do we use when we are more certain?

mustmust notcan’t

Which modals do we use when we are less certain?

Which modals do we use when we are less certain?

couldmay notmightmight not

Modals for speculating: Formsubject + modal (not) + verb

Modals for speculating: Formsubject + modal (not) + verb

He must (not) be busy.

He may (not) like her.

Modals for speculating: Formsubject + modal (not) + be + verb-ing

He might (not) be feeling stressed out.

She could (not) be waiting for you.

Modals for speculatingSpeculating with more certainty Speculating with less certainty

She must be sick She never misses class.

The must not get along. They don’t want to sit next to each other.

He can’t be angry. He’s smiling

She might have a doctor’s appointmentor something.

They may not know each other very well.I think they just met.

He could be angry, but maybe he doesn’twant to show it.

We use must to show that we are 100% certain that something is true.

She must be sick. She never misses classes.

We use must not and can’t to show that we’re almost certain that something is not true.

They must not get along. They don’t want to sit next to each other.

He can’t be angry. He’s smiling.

We use might, may, and could to say there’s a chance that something is true, but we’re not 100% sure.

She might have a doctor’s appointment or something.

They may not know each other very well. I think they just met.

He could be angry, but maybe he doesn’t want to show it.

We use might not / may not, to say that it is possible that some-thing isn’t true.He might not / may not go to Brazil.(It is possible that he won’t go and stay home.)

Compare with:He can’t be in Brazil! I saw him yesterday.(It is not possible that he is in Brazil.)

You can also use the continuous form after the modal.

subject + modal + be + verb-ing

He must be feeling upset.She could be running late.They must not be getting along.Tom may not be arriving on time.Mother might be staying up with the baby.

Lets practice together

He is late for class.

He is late for class.He might be

He is late for class.He might be busy.

He is late for class.He might be staying home today.

He is late for class.He might not be coming.

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.She could be

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.She could be busy.

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.She could be angry.

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.She could be feeing hurt.

My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.She must not be feeing good.

Answer grammar on p.89