Topics

Present

Past

Past to Present

Future

Abilities - Responsibilities

Asking Questions

Choosing the Right Phrase

Combining Verbs

Explaining Ideas

Describing Your World

Complex Ideas

Relating Ideas, People, Objects

Speaking about Objects

Wondering about Situations

What Is Probably True

Modal Verbs of Probability - Present

Modal verbs of probability express an opinion based on what a speaker knows about a situation at the moment of speaking. The following forms are used to speak about present situations.

Example:

Craig can't be relying on temps to work the stockroom.

He must be trying to organize a union.

The manager might be able to set up an email warning when stock levels run low

Present Forms

'Must' plus the verb expresses the idea that you are almost 100% sure of your opinion about a given situation.

Subject + must + base form of verb + objects

Example:

He must be trying to organize a union.

Peter must be calling human resources.

Use 'might' or 'could' to express an opinion that you think has a good possibility of being true.

Subject + might / could + base form of verb + objects

Example:

The manager might be able to set up an email warning when stock levels run low

Bob Porter might be able reduce operating inventory and costs by employing new management techniques.

'Can't' plus the verb expresses the idea that you are almost 100% sure that something is not true.

Subject + can't + base form of verb + objects

Example:

Craig can't be relying on temps to work the stockroom.

The manufacturer can't be shipping the storage containers tomorrow.

Courses
English for Business and Commerce

English for Tourism and the Food Service Industry

English for NGO and NPO (Non-Governmental Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations)

Information Technology

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