11 Modal auxiliarles and related verbs11.4 Uses of modals (etc.) to express certainty and possibility
11.4A Certainty and possibility [> LEG I I .27-30]
Write 3:
Study:
i**l1 If we are certain of our facts, we use be or any full verb [> 11.1С]:
Jane is at home. Jane works at home, (certain facts)2 If we are referring to possibility, we use may, might or could + be/have been:
Jane may/might/could be at home now.
She may/might/could have been at home yesterday.
Or we use may, might, could + full verb:
Jane may/might/could work (or... may/might/could be working) at home.
She may/might/could have worked (or... have been working) at home yesterday.
ЩЩЩвШШФШМтШWrite 1 : Read these sentences and write С (= Certain) or P (= Possible) against each one.
1 My boss is away on holiday. 8 He could be swimming right now.(^2) His wife may be with him. 9 He'll come back in a good mood.
3 She will be back next week. 10 He might leave this evening.
4 He could reply by the weekend.^11 They've been staying at a big hotel.
5 He wasn't here last week. 12 They may have been dancing all night.
6 She might have been to Paris.^13 He borrowed my ladder.
7 She's returned from Paris.^14 He could have borrowed my ladder.
Write 2: Turn these 'certain' statements into 'possible/less than certain' statements.
He is at home now
He will be at home tomorrow
He was at home yesterday
She leaves at 9
She will leave tomorrow
She has left
She left last night
8 She will have left by 9
9 He is working today
He will be working today
He was working today
He has been working all day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
10
11
12Write uncertain answers to these questions.1 Where's Jim today?
2 Where was Jim yesterday?
3 Where will Jim be tomorrow?
4 What time does the train leave?
5 What time did the train leave last night?.
6 What's Sue doing at the moment?
7 What was Sue doing yesterday?
8 What will Sue be doing tomorrow?
9 What has Sue been doing this week? ....
10 What has John had for breakfast?
11 Where has Ann parked the car?
12 What did that car cost?