Lesson focus
Degrees of certainty, deduction, possibility and expectation with modal verbs in present and future contexts
Advanced aim: Express graded certainty and evidential reasoning; the advanced skill is calibrating force rather than memorising modal labels.
Strong positive deduction
Use must for a strong logical conclusion based on available evidence.
- Example: The lights are on and her car is outside; she must be at home.
- In another context: Separate scenario: The lights are on and her car is outside; she must be at home.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Strong negative deduction
Use can't for a strong conclusion that something is impossible or highly unlikely.
- Example: That can't be the final version; several sections are still missing.
- In another context: Follow-up case: That can't be the final version; several sections are still missing.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Neutral possibility
May, might and could can express specific possibility. Their relative strength is highly context-dependent, so avoid treating them as a fixed probability scale.
- Example: The delay might be caused by a problem at the distribution centre.
- In another context: The approval delay might be caused by a problem at the dispatch depot.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Expected outcome
Should can express an expectation based on normal circumstances.
- Example: The parcel should arrive by lunchtime if traffic is normal.
- In another context: The sample shipment should arrive by lunchtime if traffic is normal.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Assumptive will
Will can express a confident assumption about a present situation, especially in conversation.
- Example: That'll be Marcus calling; he said he'd ring around six.
- In another context: That'll be Daniel calling; he said he'd ring around six.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
General possibility with can
Can is common for general or theoretical possibility rather than one specific uncertain event.
- Example: Even experienced negotiators can misread the mood of a room.
- In another context: Follow-up case: Even experienced negotiators can misread the mood of a room.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Specific possibility with could
Could can describe a specific possible explanation or outcome.
- Example: The error could be the result of an outdated data feed.
- In another context: The reporting inconsistency could be the result of an outdated information feed.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Probability phrase
May well strengthens may and suggests that something is quite possible.
- Example: The policy may well create more problems than it solves.
- In another context: The disclosure procedure may well create more problems than it solves.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Remote possibility
Might can signal a more tentative possibility when the speaker wants to avoid sounding certain.
- Example: There might be another explanation that we haven't considered.
- In another context: Separate scenario: There might be another explanation that we haven't considered.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Inference from absence
Can't normally expresses negative deduction, not prohibition, when the context is evidential.
- Example: He can't be in the office; his access card hasn't been used today.
- In another context: He can't be in the temporary workspace; his access card hasn't been used today.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Degrees of certainty, deduction, possibility and expectation with modal verbs in present and future contexts
Follow-up case: The lights are on and her car is outside; she _____ at home.
Alternative case study: That _____ the final version; several sections are still missing.
The technical hold-up _____ by a problem at the logistics terminal.
The replacement part _____ by lunchtime if traffic is normal.
_____ Ravi calling; he said he'd ring around six.
Alternative case study: Even experienced negotiators _____ the mood of a room.
The data-entry fault _____ the result of an outdated material feed.
The safeguarding framework _____ more problems than it solves.
Follow-up case: There _____ another explanation that we haven't considered.
He _____ in the satellite branch; his access card hasn't been used today.
Degrees of certainty, deduction, possibility and expectation with modal verbs in present and future contexts
Alternative case study: The lights are on and her car is outside; she _____ at home.
Regional example: That _____ the final version; several sections are still missing.
The processing backlog _____ by a problem at the regional warehouse.
The equipment case _____ by lunchtime if traffic is normal.
_____ Noah calling; he said he'd ring around six.
Regional example: Even experienced negotiators _____ the mood of a room.
The calculation mistake _____ the result of an outdated records feed.
The procurement rule _____ more problems than it solves.
Alternative case study: There _____ another explanation that we haven't considered.
He _____ in the shared studio; his access card hasn't been used today.
Degrees of certainty, deduction, possibility and expectation with modal verbs in present and future contexts
Regional example: The lights are on and her car is outside; she must be at home.
Separate scenario: That can't be the final version; several sections are still missing.
The supply interruption might be caused by a problem at the sorting hub.
The signed package should arrive by lunchtime if traffic is normal.
That'll be Leo calling; he said he'd ring around six.
Separate scenario: Even experienced negotiators can misread the mood of a room.
The coding defect could be the result of an outdated evidence feed.
The staffing policy may well create more problems than it solves.
Regional example: There might be another explanation that we haven't considered.
He can't be in the regional hub; his access card hasn't been used today.