UNIT 5 Modals to Express Degrees of Certainty

UNIT 5 Modals to Express Degrees of Certainty Nosy Neighbors

Nosy Neighbors 1 Honey, how can Mrs. Carson afford a Ferrari? Isn’t she a teacher? I suppose. Or she could have won lottery. Ithe doubt it. She had to have robbed a bank! Well, she might have inherited some money from her family. Who knows? She may have gotten a big raise at work. You could be right.

Nosy Neighbors 2 I haven’t seen the Chins for a month. They may have been abducted Hmmm. They by aliens. must have moved to an exotic island. Well, they couldn’t have gone on vacation. The Or they dog is still there. might be staying with their son for a Then they while. should be very happy.

Speculating about the Present Modals speculating about the present are followed by a base form verb. You could be right. base form verb Then they should be very happy.

Speculating about the Past Modals speculating about the past are followed by the past participle. She could have won the lottery. past participle She may have gotten a big raise.

Review Modals and modal-like expressions express degrees of certainty. Degree of Certainty certain near certainty near less impossibility certain no modal must have to have got to can’t couldn’t may might could

Certainty Modals and modal-like expressions express degrees of certainty. Don’t use a modal for 100% certainty. The Chins went on vacation. Mrs. Carson got a raise.

Near Certainty There are several modals that express near certainty, including must have and had to have. They must have moved to an exotic island. He had to have robbed a bank.

Near Impossibility There are several modals that express near certainty that something is impossible, including couldn’t have and can’t. They couldn’t have moved away. They just moved here. They can’t be out of town. They left all the lights on!

Less Certainty There are several modals that express less certainty, including may, and might. They may have been abducted by aliens. They might be staying with their son.

Practice 1 Example: Use modals to suggest reasons for these classroom situations. Speculate on what might have happened. One of your classmates is late. She must have gotten stuck in traffic. There was a big accident. 1. You smell smoke. 2. The teacher is angry. 3. The desks are shaking. 4. You can’t find your textbook. 5. The lights go out.

Speculating about the Future 1 Modals speculating about the future also followed by a base form verb. The modals should and ought to express near certainty. That Ferrari should last a lifetime. She ought to take us for a drive soon.

Speculating about the Future 2 Use may, might, and could when you are less certain. The Chins may not return. The house might get sold. They could move next month.

Practice 2 Use modals to express future possibilities about these present situations. Example: We shop for food at grocery stores. “Smart” kitchens might calculate what we need and order it electronically. In the future, household computers may do all our shopping. 1. Ordinary people don’t travel in space. 2. Houses are made of wood. 3. People pay for products with cash or credit cards. 4. Our fingerprints provide identification.