Modals That Show Possibility

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains the use of modals for expressing possibility, focusing on *may*, *might*, *could*, and *can*. The video covers how these modals convey a 50/50 chance of something happening in the present or future, with *may* and *might* often being interchangeable. It also highlights how *could* is used differently and cannot express negative possibilities in the same way as *may* or *might*. Additionally, the speaker clarifies the difference between *may be* (modal + verb) and *maybe* (adverb), ensuring learners understand the proper context for each.

Takeaways

• 😀 May and might are interchangeable when expressing possibility in the present or future, with no significant difference in meaning (e.g., 'It may rain today' or 'It might rain today').
• 😀 Both *may* and *might* can be used in affirmative or negative statements to express a 50% chance of something happening (e.g., 'It may not rain today').
• 😀 *Could* is also used to express possibility, but it is not used for negative possibilities in the same way as *may* and *might*. Example: 'It could rain' vs. 'It could not rain' (incorrect for 50% chance).
• 😀 *Can* is used to express general possibilities, not specific events, like the ability for anyone to do something (e.g., 'People can learn English in one year').
• 😀 When asking about possibility, we generally use simple questions like 'Will it rain today?' instead of using *may*, *might*, or *could* in questions.
• 😀 *May* and *might* can be used to talk about possibilities in the present and future, but not typically for past possibilities (which is a different topic).
• 😀 When asking questions about possibility, it's more common to use 'Will' rather than modals like *may*, *might*, or *could* (e.g., 'Will it rain?' rather than 'Might it rain?').
• 😀 'Maybe' is an adverb that modifies a sentence to express possibility, while 'may be' is a verb phrase that uses *may* with the base verb 'be' to express something possible.
• 😀 *May be* (verb phrase) and *maybe* (adverb) should not be confused, as they have different grammatical roles in a sentence.
• 😀 For negative statements expressing possibility, *may* and *might* are used (e.g., 'It may not rain today'), but *could not* does not express the same 50% chance and instead means impossibility.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on teaching the use of modal verbs (may, might, could, and can) to express possibility, with examples of their usage in the present and future.

How does the speaker define 'possibility' in the context of this video?

Possibility refers to something that might happen, with a 50% chance of occurring. It implies that there is a chance something is true or will happen in the future.

What is the main difference between 'may' and 'might'?

'May' and 'might' are used interchangeably to express possibility, with no significant difference in meaning when referring to the 50% chance of something happening.

Can 'may' and 'might' be used in both affirmative and negative statements?

Yes, both 'may' and 'might' can be used in affirmative and negative sentences. For example, 'It may rain' (affirmative) and 'It may not rain' (negative).

Is it correct to say 'could not rain' to express a 50% chance that it won’t rain?

No, 'could not rain' implies that it is impossible for it to rain, not a 50% chance. Instead, use 'may not rain' or 'might not rain' for expressing a 50% chance it won’t rain.

How are 'may' and 'might' used to talk about the present?

'May' and 'might' can be used to express possibility in the present, like 'They might have milk at the store right now' or 'It may be a food item.'

Why is 'could' different from 'may' and 'might' when expressing possibility?

'Could' is used for general possibilities rather than specific situations. It suggests that something is possible in a broader sense, not limited to a particular event or time.

Is it common to use modals like 'may', 'might', or 'could' in questions about possibility?

No, it is more common to ask about possibility using 'will' or direct questions like 'Is it possible?' rather than using modals like 'may', 'might', or 'could'.

What is the difference between 'may be' and 'maybe' in the script?

'May be' is a modal verb followed by the base verb 'be', and it expresses possibility, like 'It may be hot today.' 'Maybe' is an adverb that means 'it is possible,' used to modify the sentence, like 'Maybe it will rain today.'

When should 'can' be used to express possibility?

'Can' is used to express general, non-specific possibilities, such as 'Anyone can learn English in a year' or 'People can learn a new language quickly.' It’s not used for specific, one-time events like 'may' and 'might'.