☁ The Sky Might Clear: Modals of Possibility with may, might, could
Lesson Plan
- 4 speculation questions using might, could, may, and must for deduction
Key Vocabulary
Grammar Points
- may + bare infinitive: neutral possibility, slightly more formal
- might + bare infinitive: possibility, very common in everyday speech
- could + bare infinitive: open possibility, also used for suggestions
- All three (may/might/could) are interchangeable for present and future possibility at B1 level
- must + bare infinitive for deduction: strong positive certainty based on evidence (95%)
- can't + bare infinitive for deduction: strong negative certainty, = impossible based on evidence
- may/might/could + have + past participle: past possibility (something that was possible but uncertain)
- must have + V3: past deduction (almost certain it happened); can't have + V3: past deduction (almost certain it didn't)
- Do NOT use 'can' for uncertain future possibility — use may/might/could instead
- Modals never take -s (she might, not she mights); no 'to' after modal (may come, not may to come)
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