What Are Possibility Modals?
While some modals express intent, ability, or necessity, modal verbs of possibility express the
possibility of something. In situations where something might occur but is not sure, we use the
modal verbs may, might, and could. Basically, anything that expresses a future possibility.
The main rule for using modal verbs of possibility is to follow this structure:
Affirmative: subject + may/might/could + base verb
Negative: subject + may/might/could + not + base verb
Interrogative: may/might/could + subject + base verb
For example:
Affirmative: I might join them later.
Negative: I might not join them later.
Interrogative: Might I join them later?
May
Use the modal verb may when showing possibility in the future or present. This verb is more
common in formal texts. For example:
Where is Charles? He may be in another city.
In this sentence I have here, the complete verb may be is in its present simple form.
Here’s another example.
I may see him later.
This sentence, with may see as the verb phrase, is in simple present form.
Might
The modal verb might also shows possibility in the present or future. But it’s more common in
informal conversations. Here are some sentence examples.
Simple present: Where is Charles? He might be in another city.
Simple future: I might see him later.
Could
Could is another modal verb that shows an option. It also shows the speaker is not very certain of
the possibility. For example:
Simple present: Where is Charles? He could be in another city.
Simple future: I could see him later.
Must
A less common modal verb of possibility is must, which shows certainty from the speaker. For
example:
Harry saw his father today. He must be happy.
Have To
Like must, have/has to is a modal verb of possibility that shows certainty from the speaker. For
example:
Winston studied the whole day. He has to be tired.
Modal Verbs of Past Possibility
Aside from showing future and present possibilities, modal verbs sometimes show past
possibilities using this structure:
Modal verb + have + past participle form of the verb
For example:
Everyone must have been devastated by the bad news.
Brian could have been at school.
Your sister may have gone home early.
The team must have won the tournament.
You Could Always Learn More!
There are several modals in the English language. But the main modals of possibility are may,
might, could, must, and have to. They either show certainty or uncertainty of the possibility in the
past, present, or future.
Practice using modals of possibility in your sentences. Doing so will help you become a better
English speaker and writer.
Modal Verbs of Possibility
Several modal verbs show possibility, including might, may, could, and must. This modal verbs for
possibility lesson shows you how to use them all correctly in English. You can find links to the
exercises at the bottom of the page.
Modal Verbs for Possibility Structure
Modal Verb + Base Verb
May/Might/Could/Must + Base Verb
Examples:
I may eat dinner at 7:00 pm.
She might work late tonight.
They must be tired.
May
May shows possibility in the present or the future.
Present: Where are my keys? They may be in the car.
Future: I may go to the party tonight.
May is formal and is often found in writing, like this example:
Side effects of this medication may include upset stomach and fever.
Might
Possibility in the present or future.
Where are my keys? They might be in the car.
I might go to the party tonight.
Might is less formal than may, and is more common in conversation
Could
Something is possible in the present or future.
Present: Where are my keys? They could be in the car.
Future: We could go to the party tonight.
Could shows options, or possibility.
Must
Certainty, or the belief of certainty, from the speaker.
Certain:
Everyone is wearing a jacket. It must be cold.
Belief of certainty:
He was running for 2 hours. He must be tired. (Although it seems obvious, it is not a
fact that the runner is tired.)
Have to
Certainty, or the belief of certainty, from the speaker.
Certain:
Everyone is wearing a jacket. It has to be cold.
Belief of certainty:
He was running for 2 hours. He has to be tired. (Although it seems obvious, it is not a
fact that the runner is tired.)
Have to is much less formal than must, and is common in conversation.
Past Possibility
May, might, and could are all used to show possibility in the past.
Modal Verb + Have + Past Participle
He might have brought the cake.
She may have gone home early.
They could have worked late.
Must can be used in the same way to show certainty in the past.
He must have won the game.
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.
These books might not be the teachers.
Might not shows that something probably will not happen in the future.
I might not go to the party tonight.
Could not shows that something is impossible.
This could not be the only book available.
She could not know who my friend is. They have never met.