Modals and Adverbs of ProbabilityEnglish words

by DuoCards

*What are the odds?* To talk about probability in English, you should learn some of the adverbs of probability. *Adverbs of probability* are used to show how sure we are about a situation or event. Let's learn some of the most common ones!

definitely

I will definitely be at the airport to meet you.

I will definitely come.

Don't worry, I will definitely come to your graduation.

certainly

It will certainly rain tomorrow.

obviously

She was obviously sick.

He obviously lied.

he obviously lied to me

probably

It will probably rain today.

They are probably sleeping.

perhaps

Perhaps she was right.

Perhaps you were right.

maybe

Maybe we can go to the park later.

*Modal verbs* Modal verbs are quite common in English; you’ve seen them in action hundreds of times even if you didn’t know what they were called. Common examples of modal verbs include "can", "should", and "must". Because they’re a type of *auxiliary verb (helper verb)*, they’re used alongside the *infinitive form of the main verb* of a sentence. "Can you drive me to the airport?" "You should try the lasagna."

I can't swim.

I can't swim very well.

You must wash your hands.

You must wash your hands before cooking.

to order tickets

She must order tickets in advance if she wants to go to the theater.

Can I have some water?

to focus

Mary can’t focus because her brother is playing the drums.

You should go.

It's getting late. You should go home now.

entire

I can eat an entire pizza.

We can see the entire city from this hill.

Everybody can dance!

*Ability* The modal verb "can" expresses whether the subject of a sentence is *able to do something.* Likewise, the negative form "can’t" shows that the subject is *unable to do something.* "She can speak three languages." "I can't cook very well." "CAN" and "CAN'T" also show request, permission, and possibility.

I can speak English.

I can speak English pretty good.

to ride a bike

He can't ride a bike.

He can walk.

My one-year-old son can walk already.

to take a day off

Can I take a day off?

What languages can you speak?

chopsticks

They can eat with chopsticks.

Can you help us?

Can you help us with the homework?

Can I go to the bathroom?

My sister can surf well.

"Can" *or* "be able to?" Both "can" and "be able to" have the same meaning. They are used to talk about ability. But "can" is used to talk about *general ability*, and "be able to" is used to talk about *specific ability.* In some cases they are interchangeable. For example: "I can swim." (in general) but "I'm not able to swim today." The negative form of "to be able to" is "to be unable to", for example: "She nodded, unable to speak." "Be able to" is sometimes used *after modals* such as "might" or "should", and after verbs such as "want", "hope", or "expect".

to be able to

The animals are able to move around.

I might be able to come.

I might be able to come to the party tonight.

the entrance fee

We were unable to afford the entrance fee.

to whistle

She whistled to her dog to come back to her.

He can read and write.

to envy

I envy people who can sing.

I envy children who can learn languages so quickly.

unable to speak

They nodded, unable to speak.

nervous

He was nervous about the exam results.

He was so nervous that he was unable to speak.

to attend

We will be able to attend the class next semester.

I might be able to help you.

*Simple past* The modal verbs "can" and "will" have special past tense forms: "can" → "could" "will" → "would" After "could" or "would", we always use *the base form of the main verb* (the infinitive without "to"). "Would" is used for past habits. Examples: "I could do a handstand when I was a kid." (= I had the ability in the past) "During exam season in college, I would not sleep much." (= this was my habit in the past)

a handstand

I could do a handstand when I was a kid.

barely

He could barely walk.

When I was a student, I would study late at night.

a countryside

Every summer, we would visit my grandparents in the countryside.

to smell

I could smell something burning.

When I was a kid, I could run very fast.

"Would" and "could" *for politeness* We use "could" *to make polite requests or suggestions* (more polite than "can"). "Could you help me, please?" "I could lend you some money if you need it." We use "would" *for polite offers* or *to sound less direct.* "I would like a coffee." (= more polite than "I want a coffee.") "Would you like to join us?"

Could you help me, please?

Excuse me, could you help me, please? I'm lost.

Could I ... ?

Could I have some tea, please?

Would you ...?

Would you like to go?

Would you like some coffee?

That would be great!

Would it be possible?

Would it be possible to see him?

Could you repeat it?

Could you please repeat what you just said?

Could you open the window, please?

I would like a cup of tea.

Would you like some help?

*May and Might* Use "may" and "might" to talk about what *will possibly happen* in the future. "May" and "might" mean *maybe will.* They can refer to the future or the present. *Examples:* "I might have a pen in my bag." ( = present use) "She may arrive tomorrow." ( = future use) "May" and "might" are *modal verbs* like "can", "will", and "should", so they follow *the same rules.* 1) *Do not add -s to the third person singular.* 2) To form a *negative*, add "not" after "may" and "might." 3) "May" can be used with *I* or *we* to make *requests.* 4) "May" and "might" are always followed by a *verb in the infinitive form.*

might be

He might be right.

We might be there.

an episode

I might watch another episode.

He might come.

She may not come.

She may not come to the party if she feels tired.

to be invited

We may be invited but I'm not sure.

May I have some tea?

May I have some tea, please?

I might go.

We might go to the beach if the weather is nice.

May I?

May I borrow your pen, please?

force

The police used force to control the crowd.

May the force be with you.

*Past Modals for Deduction* "Might" and "may" can also be used to *guess what happened in the past.* Form: "might"/"may"/"may not have"/"might not have" + *past participle verb* "I might have seen him before." (= I’m not sure, but it’s possible) "He might not have received the message." (= Maybe he didn’t receive it)

She may have left.

the noise

What was that noise outside? I think it may have been a cat.

I might have bought...

I might have bought the wrong brand.

to offend

Your comment may have offended some people.

He might have been...

They might have been happier if they had stayed together.

He might have been here before.

to receive

He might not have received our message.

We might not have received...

We might not have received your emails because of some internet connection issues.

to remove

It may have been removed.

She might have lost her keys.

I might have seen him before.

*It must have been love!* When you talk about something in the past that might have happened and you are *almost certain that your guess is correct*, use "must have + past participle verb." "It must have been him!" When you talk about something that *didn't happen* in the past and you are almost sure about it, use "couldn't"/"can't have" + *past participle verb.* "He couldn't have forgotten about it!"

You must have seen it.

You must have seen the new movie that just came out.

I must have been here before.

As I walked through the park, I realized I must have been here before.

to forget

I've forgotten about it.

He couldn't have forgotten.

He couldn't have forgotten about the appointment.

to be exhausted

I'm totally exhausted!

You must have been exhausted.

After running the marathon, you must have been exhausted.

She must have left it there.

She must have left the toy in the garden.

to get stuck

He could have gotten stuck in traffic.

It couldn't have been her.

When the teacher asked who broke the window, I said, "It couldn't have been her; she was with me the whole time."

It must have been love!

When I saw her smile, I knew it must have been love.

*Using Modals for Recommendations* You already know that *modal verbs* show *possibility, intent, ability, or necessity.* Let's take a look at some modals that can be used to *give recommendations.* "Must" can be used to give a strong recommendation. You can also use "have to" for recommendations, but "must" is more common. ("Have to" is generally used to talk about rules and things beyond your control.) "Should" and "ought to" are used to give a suggestion. "Could" is used to give an option. "Don’t have to" is used to say that something isn’t necessary. "Shouldn't" is used to warn someone gently against doing something. "Mustn’t" is used to warn someone strongly against doing something.

You must see it!

You shouldn't ...

You shouldn’t walk home alone after dark.

to be alone

She shouldn't be alone.

to retake (an exam)

She has failed her exam. She has to retake it.

I don't have to do this.

less

You ought to drink less.

He could stay...

He could stay at my place.

to make an appointment

You have to make an appointment to see him.

You don't have to drive.

Do you have to go?

*Should have* "Should have" can be used to *express regret about the past* – to wish that something in the past had happened in a different way: "I should have studied for my exam!" (I didn’t study for my exams. I failed. Now I wish that the past was different.) Should have can also be used to *talk about something you expected to happen*, but it didn’t happen (or it didn’t happen until later). "The letter should have arrived by now, but it hasn’t come yet." (I was expecting a letter, but it isn’t here).

You should have been here.

to let (someone) know

I should have let you know.

You should have called.

to stay awake

I'm really tired today. I should not have stayed awake so late last night.

We should have studied more.

to shout at

I shouldn't have shouted at her.

They should have stayed.

They should have stayed in the bunker.

to take advice

You should have taken advice.

I should have known better.

by now

He should be married by now.

I should have never let you go.

to renew

I should have renewed my travel insurance.

You should have done that.

*Will + adverbs of probability* Now let's practice the adverbs of probability that we've learned at the beginning of this course! You can use "will" and "won’t" with different adverbs to show *how probable a future event is.* "I’ll maybe go to the party." "I’ll probably go to the party." "I’ll definitely go to the party." "I’ll certainly go to the party."