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    Affirmation: Grammar Reference Unit 7

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    Humberto Nieto
    The document discusses the use of might, may, and could to talk about probability and possibility. It provides examples of how to use these terms to talk about events that may happen in the present or future, as well as questions. It also covers the use of might not/may not for negation and must/must not for obligations and prohibitions. Key differences between might not and could not are highlighted.

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    Affirmation: Grammar Reference Unit 7

    Uploaded by

    Humberto Nieto
    38 views4 pages
    The document discusses the use of might, may, and could to talk about probability and possibility. It provides examples of how to use these terms to talk about events that may happen in the present or future, as well as questions. It also covers the use of might not/may not for negation and must/must not for obligations and prohibitions. Key differences between might not and could not are highlighted.

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    The document discusses the use of might, may, and could to talk about probability and possibility. It provides examples of how to use these terms to talk about events that may happen in the present or future, as well as questions. It also covers the use of might not/may not for negation and must/must not for obligations and prohibitions. Key differences between might not and could not are highlighted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    38 views4 pages

    Affirmation: Grammar Reference Unit 7

    Uploaded by

    Humberto Nieto
    The document discusses the use of might, may, and could to talk about probability and possibility. It provides examples of how to use these terms to talk about events that may happen in the present or future, as well as questions. It also covers the use of might not/may not for negation and must/must not for obligations and prohibitions. Key differences between might not and could not are highlighted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    GRAMMAR REFERENCE UNIT 7

    MIGHT, MAY, AND COULD TO TALK ABOUT PROBABILITY

    We use might, may and could to talk about the possibility of something in the present
    or in the future or when we are not sure something is going to happen in the future.

    Here are some more examples that will help you understand better:

    +
    AFFIRMATION

    • I might go to the cinema this afternoon


    • He is travelling in Eastern Europe.
    He may be in Ukraine by now.
    • We could have problems tomorrow
    if the traffic is too heavy.

    • There is no difference at all for these three sentences, using anyone depends on the person.

    • When talking about the form: we use might/may/could + bare infinitive (without “to”) with all the
    personal pronouns or any subject.

    Here are some more examples:

    The structure could be unstable after the earthquake


    There might be delays due to the accident
    I may be able to help you when I finish with this

    We use might not/ may not when expressing negation, but couldn’t / could not cannot be used in
    this case, it is important to mention that couldn’t / could not is used to indicate that something is
    impossible.

    Notice how may not and might not have no contraction and it is not common to see someone using
    it neither.

    Here are some more examples that will help you understand the differences better.
    -
    NEGATION

    • Many people may not be willing to commute for an hour


    • It might not be as bad as they say
    • There couldn’t be any available seat today (impossible)

    When making questions, we can use the three of them following the structure:

    might/May/Could + subject + bare infinitive (without “to”)

    but it is less common than using

    Do you think + subject + might/may/could + bare infinitive (without “to”).

    Here are some more examples that will help you understand the differences better.

    Less common: Might/may/could she be interested?


    More common: Do you think she might/may/could be interested?

    1. CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION TO COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

    1. I am really hungry I might/couldn’t go for a hamburger.


    2. The concert was sold out one month ago, you might not / couldn’t buy a ticket online by now.
    3. They say Math is really difficult, but I think it could not / may not be that way.
    4. Couldn’t / could you brother come to help us?
    5. I had a bad experience at that store, I could not / may not buy there again.
    6. Your grades could / couldn’t be the best for the next teem if you make a good effort.
    7. We could / might face problems of we don’t take immediate action.
    MUST

    +
    AFFIRMATIVE

    This modal is used when we want to express an obligation or something that is


    considered important or necessary:

    Example:
    A soldier must obey orders.
    You must be here before 8 o’clock tomorrow

    To express an affirmative deduction or an assumption about something.

    Example:
    Lucia must have a problem with her boss.
    He must be at home.

    -
    NEGATION

    MUST NOT - MUSTN’T

    The negative form of must, is used to express a prohibition.

    Example:
    You musn’t smoke here.
    Basketballers must not kick the ball.
    2. MARK IF THE STATEMENT IS AN OBLIGATION, AN ASSUMPTION OR A PROHIBITION.

    Obligation Assumption Prohibition


    1. Patricia didn’t come to work, she must be sick. x

    2. You must not park in front of the school’s front


    door, it is forbidden. x

    3. I must do my homework to get good grades. x

    4. I think I saw my dad at school but he is x


    working, I must be wrong.

    5. I must show my ID at the school entrance every


    x
    day or I cannot access.

    6. A cellphone must not be underwater, it voids x


    the warranty.

    7. My father must help my mom at home. x

    8. My dog must not bite my shoes, but he must x


    be deaf because he keeps doing it.

    WATCH OUT!

    MIGHT NOT VS. COULD NOT


    Although might and could express possibility in a similar way, the negative forms of might and
    could are different.

    Might not shows that something probably is not true.

    Example: These books might not be the teachers.

    Might not shows that something probably will not happen in the future.

    Example: I might not go to the party tonight.

    Could not shows that something is impossible.

    Example: This could not be the only book available.


    Example: She could not know who my friend is. They have never met.

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