Modals - Degrees of Uncertainty

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Will / Might

Expressing Degrees of Uncertainty

Speakers indicate 'certainty' and 'uncertainty' about the likelihood of an activity or event happening:

will - will not
might - might not
could - could not

Present & Future Uncertainty (Prediction)

VERY CERTAIN	UNCERTAIN	UNCERTAIN NEGATIVE
Polar bears will perish.	Polar bears may perish.	Polar bears may not survive.
Polar bears are going to perish.	Polar bears might perish.	It is doubtful that polar bears will survive.
	Polar bears could perish.	It is unlikely that polar bears will survive.
100 % degree of certainty	less certain	uncertain

Past Uncertainty (Reflection - Speculation)

VERY CERTAIN - Reflection	UNCERTAIN - Speculation	UNCERTAIN NEGATIVE - Speculation
Dinosaurs perished due to a meteor strike.	Dinosaurs may have died from disease	They may not have had resistance to disease.
	Dinosaurs might have died from starvation.	They might not have had enough to eat.
	Dinosaurs could have died from cosmic radiation.	They might not have had shelter from radiation.

Sentence Forms

Word Order

SENT TYPE	AUX VERB	SUBJECT	MODAL	VERB BASE	OBJECT PHRASE
STATEMENT		Polar bears	might	disappear.
			could
			may
QUESTION	Might Could	polar bears		disappear?
	*May
	Is it possible that		will
NEGATIVE		polar bears	might not	lose	the fight to survive.
			could not
			may not
NEGATIVE PAST		Scientists	might not have	predicted	this tragedy.
			could not have
			may not have
ADVERBS		The earth	might suddenly	lose	this species.
		We	could also
		Our children	may finally

*awkward sounding

Practice 1

How Certain is the Speaker?

Decide what the meaning of the verb in the sentence is.

Select your response.
* indicates an incorrect response.

	MODAL SENTENCEYOUR RESPONSE	HINTS
1	Stephen King's latest work could be a nightmare for book publishers. The writer is sure (about future event) The writer is uncertain (about future event) The writer is reflecting (on a past event)	WHY 1
2.	He will publish his books on the Internet. He is sure (about future event) He thinks so (about future event) He is speculating (on a past event)	WHY 2
3.	The first chapter will be free, then he might ask readers to pay $1 for the next chapter. He is sure (about future event) He is uncertain (about future event) He is speculating (on a past event)	WHY 3
4	If enough readers pay $1, he will write the next chapter in the series. this event is scheduled this event is not scheduled	WHY 4
5	In the past, King's dealings with publishers have been unsatisfactory. They might not have shared profits with him. The writer is sure (about future event) The writer is uncertain (about future event) The writer is speculating (on a past event).	WHY 5

Practice 2

Expressing Doubt and Certainty

Decide which modal can complete the sentence.

Select your response. * indicates an incorrect response.

Read the hint box for additional information.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	OPTIONS
6.	The Internet many new writers to publish their works. will enable might enable might not enable	WHY 6
7.	Many writers how to present their materials on web sites. will know may know may not know	WHY 7
8.	Many people thought that copyright laws difficult to enforce. may be might be might have been	WHY 8
9.	Writers who publish on the Internet to profit from their web publishing. will expect may expect could expect	WHY 9
10.	Publishers trend in lower sales of printed books that is occuring now. might not predict may predict might not have predicted	WHY 10
11.	In the future, all books sold as digital copies to be read on handheld devices or to be printed on personal printers. may be sold might be sold will be sold	WHY 11
12.	Clearly, some people ready to give up a book that they can physically hold in their hands and turn its pages. may be may not be might not be	WHY 12

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