Modals are verbs which usually enhance or restrict the main verb. In some cases, modal verbs are used to express possibility.
might/may: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain.
could: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain. However, "could" is stronger (more likely to occur) than "may" or "might"
must: something will occur. It is stronger than "could."
It might rain tomorrow. (You do not know).
It could rain tomorrow. (There is a definite possibility it will rain).
It must rain tomorrow. (It is certain it will rain).
*following each modal is a second verb which should always be in its base form.
Another way to express certainty/uncertainty is through adverbs. Adverbs modify things which are not nouns, usually verbs.
Maybe/Perhaps: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain.These are placed at the beginning of the sentence.
possibly/probably: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain. However, "possibly" and "probably" are stronger (more likely to occur) than "Maybe" or "Perhaps." These are placed immediately after the subject.
definitely: something will occur. It is stronger than "possibly" or "probably." This is placed immediately after the subject.
Maybe it will rain tomorrow. (You do not know).
It possibly will rain tomorrow. (There is a definite possibility it will rain).
It definitely will rain tomorrow. (It is certain it will rain).
might/may: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain.
could: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain. However, "could" is stronger (more likely to occur) than "may" or "might"
must: something will occur. It is stronger than "could."
It might rain tomorrow. (You do not know).
It could rain tomorrow. (There is a definite possibility it will rain).
It must rain tomorrow. (It is certain it will rain).
*following each modal is a second verb which should always be in its base form.
Another way to express certainty/uncertainty is through adverbs. Adverbs modify things which are not nouns, usually verbs.
Maybe/Perhaps: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain.These are placed at the beginning of the sentence.
possibly/probably: something has the possibility of occurring, but it is not certain. However, "possibly" and "probably" are stronger (more likely to occur) than "Maybe" or "Perhaps." These are placed immediately after the subject.
definitely: something will occur. It is stronger than "possibly" or "probably." This is placed immediately after the subject.
Maybe it will rain tomorrow. (You do not know).
It possibly will rain tomorrow. (There is a definite possibility it will rain).
It definitely will rain tomorrow. (It is certain it will rain).
Exercise 2: Adverbials of Probability
Exercise 3: Adverbials of probability
Exercise 4: Can / could/ may/ might
Exercise 3: Adverbials of probability
Exercise 4: Can / could/ may/ might
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