MAKALAH

ENGLISH FOR MANAGEMENT

“TALKING ABOUT POSIOBILITY IN THE PAST’’

Dosen pengampu :
Aldila Rahma Putri S.T., MBA

Di susun Oleh kelompok 4:

1. Ahmad Arya ( 221010500525 )
2. Ariana Dewi L.J ( 221010500417 )
3. Effenly Sebastian P ( 221010500492 )
4. Listiawati ( 221010500518 )
5. Nadia Ramadani ( 221010500434 )
6. William Susanto ( 221010500471 )

03SMJP004 Ruang ( 205B )

PROGRAM STUDI MANAJEMEN

FAKULTAS EKONOMI DAN BISNIS
UNIVERSITAS PAMULANG
2023
 FOREWORD

Praise be expressed to the presence of Allah SWT. Thank you for all His grace so that
this paper can be prepared until it is finished. We do not forget to express our gratitude
for the assistance from those who have contributed by providing both thoughts and
materials. The author really hopes that this paper can increase the knowledge and
experience of readers. In fact, we hope even further that readers can put this paper into
practice in their daily lives. We as authors feel that there are still many shortcomings
in preparing this paper due to our limited knowledge and experience. For this reason,
we really hope for constructive criticism and suggestions from readers for the
perfection of this paper.

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 LIST OF CONTENT

FOREWORD ................................................................................................................ i
LIST OF CONTENT .................................................................................................. ii
BAB I ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background ......................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Formulation Of The Problem .............................................................................. 1
1.3 Objective ............................................................................................................. 2
BAB II .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Explanation Possibility In The Past ..................................................................... 3
2.2 Verbs .................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Formulation ......................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Formulation Possibility In The Past Use Verbs ................................................... 4
BAB III ....................................................................................................................... 10
CLOSING .................................................................................................................. 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 11

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 BAB I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
The concept of "possibility in the past" in English grammar typically refers to
events or situations that could have happened in the past but didn't. It involves the
use of modal verbs like "Must" "May” "Might” and "Could" along with the past
participle form of the main verb. In summary, the use of modal verbs like "Must"
"May" “Might” and "Could" in English allows you to discuss possibilities in the
past, whether they are unrealized actions, regrets, or uncertain events. These
structures help convey the idea that something was possible or could have happened
in the past. "Possibility in the past" in English grammar refers to situations or events
that had the potential to happen in the past but did not actually occur. It involves
discussing what could have taken place or might have been true in the past. This
concept is often expressed using modal verbs such as "could have," "might have,"
or "would have," followed by the past participle form of the main verb. It is used
to convey past possibilities, hypothetical scenarios, regrets, or uncertainties related
to events that did not happen as they were being discussed.

1.2 Formulation Of The Problem

1. Explanation Possibility In The Past.

2. Use Verbs.
3. Formula.
4. Formulation Possibility In The Past Use Verbs.

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1.3 Objective
1. Know What explanation possibility in the past.
2. Know how to use the verbs possibility in the past.
3. Know the formula possibility in the past.
4. Know the formulation possibility in the past use verbs.

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 BAB II
DUSCUSSION

2.1 Explanation Possibility In The Past

"Possibility in the past" refers to the likelihood or chance of something
happening at a specific point in the past. It reflects the idea that at some point in the
past, an event or situation had the potential or possibility of occurring, even though
it may not have actually happened. For example, you could say, "There was a
possibility in the past that they might have succeeded," which means that there was
a chance in the past that they could have been successful, even if it didn't
materialize.

2.2 Verbs
Positive: Must, May, Might, Could.
Negative: Can’t, May Not, Might Not, Couldn’t.
Are used with a present perfect verb form to show how certain a speaker is that a
past situation happened or didn’t happen.

2.3 Formulation
MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
To show how certain the speaker is that something happened.
MUST HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Shows a great deal of certainty that something happened, but there is still Some
doubt in the speaker’s mind. He/she is not 100% certain.

For example:
1. The students did well on the test. They must have studied hard.
(There are other possible reasons why the students did well on the test. It might
have been very easy, or they might have already learned the material. The speaker

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 uses must have studied hard to show that he/she thinks this is the most logical
reason they did so well.)
• I’ve phoned Jim several times, but he doesn’t answer. He must have gone out.
( The speaker believes this is the most logical reason why Jim doesn’t answer the
phone. However, other reasons are possible. he might go out the house ) May,
Might, and Could Convey the idea that a speaker is only 50% or less certain that
something happened. The use of could implies a little more certainty. My wife
doesn’t answer the phone. she may ( Might, Could ) have gone shopping.
( The speaker doesn’t know for sure that his wife went shopping. However, it is
his best guess ).

Negative Sentence Formula:

MODAL + NOT + BASE VERB + PAST PARTICIPLE
To show how certain the speaker is that something didn’t happen shows that the
speaker is very certain something didn’t happen.
For example: Robin looks tired today. She can’t have slept well last night. ( This
is the speaker’s best guess as to why Robin looks tired. Of course, other reasons
are possible. For instance, she might be ill. ) May or might not have + past
participle shows that the speaker is 50% or less certain that something didn’t
happen.
For example: There was a strange light in the sky yesterday evening. I don’t know
for sure what it was, but I may have seen a U.F.O. ( Unidentified Flying Object ).

2.4 Formulation Possibility In The Past Use Verbs

Could,' 'may,' 'might' can all be followed by the auxiliary 'have' and a 'past participle'
to refer to a possibility in the past. Remember, (could have + past participle) is usually

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used to refer to an unreal situation. Sara could have been the best athlete, using those
shoes.

1. May

One of the functions of may be to show possibilities that occur in the future and in the
present.

( Affirmative Form )

The pattern used to create possible sentences using may is:

Subject + May + Verb

Example:

1) She may go home early.

2) I may study abroad next year.
3) There may be raining tomorrow.
4) This watch looks very fancy. It may be very expensive.
5) We may have a math test next week.

( Negative Form )

The negative form of may is may not. The following are possible sentence patterns
using may not: Subject + May Not + Verb

Examples:

1) There may not be many people visiting the amusement park on Monday.
2) Setiawan may not come to the class this Thursday.
3) I may not be able to attend tomorrow’s meeting.
4) Anggun may not be reelected as student council president.
5) He may not be that angry with you.

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 2. Might

Just like maybe, it might also function as an indicator of possibilities that occur in the
present and future.

( Affirmative Form )

The basic pattern for constructing possible sentences using might is:

Subject + Might + Verb

Examples:

1) The key might be inside the drawer.

2) She might forgive.
3) You should bring a jacket. There might be very cold in there.
4) They might want me to sing.
5) Our employer might forget that we should send the report today.

( Negative Form )

Might not is the negative form of might. The basic pattern for constructing possible
sentences using might not be:

Subject + Might Not + Verbs

Example:

1) My mother might not allow me to go hiking alone.

2) The concert tickets might not be available anymore tomorrow. That's why we
have to buy it right now.
3) Sinclair's new movie might not be as popular as his first movie.
4) The cat might not leave the house.
5) We might not land on the top 3 ranks.

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 3. Must

Must indicators depends on the context and specific needs of the situation.

( Affirmation Form )

The pattern used to create possible sentences using must is:

Subject + Must + Verb

Example:

1) There must have been a possibility of finding a cure for that disease back then.
2) The team's research efforts must have explored various possibilities for
renewable energy sources.
3) Her dedication to the project must have created the possibility of success.
4) The collaboration between scientists and engineers must have increased the
possibility of groundbreaking discoveries.
5) The historical records suggest that there must have been possibilities for trade
routes in the region during ancient times.

( Negative Form )

The negative form of Must is Can’t. The following are possible sentence patterns using
Can’t: Subject + Can’t + Verb

Example:

1) I can't believe there couldn't have been any possibility of success in that
situation.
2) She can't understand why there couldn't have been any possibility of
reconciliation after the disagreement.
3) They can't see how there couldn't have been any possibility of finding a solution
to the problem.

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 4) We can't imagine that there couldn't have been any possibility of discovering
the truth.
5) He can't fathom why there couldn't have been any possibility of salvaging their
relationship.

4. Could

The use of the word "could" in the context of possibility in the past indicates a past
indicator.

( Affirmation Form )

The pattern used to create possible sentences using could is:

Subject + Could + Verb

Example:

1) She could have won the race if she had trained harder.
2) If he had studied diligently, he could have passed that exam.
3) I'm sure he could have completed the project if given the opportunity.
4) Back then, she could have been the best athlete in the country.
5) When he was young, he could draw exceptionally well.

( Negative Form )

The negative form of Could is Couldn’t. The following are possible sentence patterns
using Couldn’t: Subject + Couldn’t + Verb

Example:

1) She couldn't have won the race because she didn't even participate.
2) If he hadn't studied, he couldn't have passed that challenging exam.
3) I'm certain he couldn't have completed the project with his limited skills.

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4) Back then, she couldn't have been the best athlete; she lacked the necessary
training.
5) When he was young, he couldn't draw well at all.

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 BAB III

CLOSING

The conclusion from the definition of "possibility in the past" in English is that it
refers to the possibility of events, actions, or situations that had the potential to occur
in the past but, in reality, did not happen. This concept is often expressed using modal
verbs such as "could have," "might have," or "would have," followed by the past
participle form of the main verb. It is used to convey possibilities in the past,
hypothetical scenarios, regrets, or uncertainties related to events that did not transpire
as discussed.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.studocu.com/id/n/32489327?sid=01695716753

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