FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

FUTURE PROBABILITY
Speaking goal: Talk about how possible or probable a future activity is.
0 % OF POSSIBILITY
1. IT’S INCONCEIVABLE (THAT) + CLAUSE
2. SUBJ. + NOT HAVE A HOPE OF + NOUN / PRESENT PARTICPLE
3. SUBJ. + NOT STAND A CHANCE OF + NOUN / PRESENT PARTICPLE
4. SUBJ. + STAND NO CHANCE OF + NOUN / PRESENT PARTICPLE
5. THE ODDS ARE AGAINST (THAT) + CLAUSE

EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: It’s 20:30, and John has just missed his flight to Los Angeles. The next
flight leaves tomorrow.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. It’s inconceivable (that) John gets to LA tonight. (Clause)

2. John doesn’t have a hope of getting to LA tonight. (Pres. Part.)
John doesn’t have a hope of a flight to LA tonight. (Noun)
3. John doesn’t stand a chance of getting to LA tonight. (Pres. Part.)
John doesn’t stand a chance of a flight to LA tonight (noun)
4. John stands no chance of getting to LA tonight. (Pres. Part.)
John stands no chance of a flight to LA tonight. (Noun)
5. The odds are against (that) John will get to LA tonight. (clause)

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

10 % OF POSSIBILITY
1. THERE’S A SLIGHT / REMOTE POSSIBILITY (THAT) + CLAUSE
2. THE CHANCES ARE SLIM (THAT) + CLAUSE
3. SUBJ. + ALMOST DEFINITELY WON’T + BASE FORM OF V.
4. THERE’S VERY LITTLE CHANCE (THAT) + CLAUSE

EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: Jennifer hardly ever goes to funerals because she doesn’t like them, but
an acquaintance has passed away recently.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. There’s a slight chance (that) Jennifer goes to this funeral.

There’s a remote chance (that) Jennifer goes to this funeral.
2. The chances are slim (that) Jennifer goes to this funeral.
3. She almost definitely won’t go to this funeral.
4. There’s very little chance (that) Jennifer goes to this funeral.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

30 % OF POSSIBILITY
1. SUBJ. + DOUBT (THAT) + CLAUSE
2. IT’S DOUBTFUL (THAT) + CLAUSE
3. SUBJ. + PROBABLY WON’T + BASE FORM OF V.
4. SUBJ. + BE UNLIKELY TO + BASE FORM OF V.
5. IT’S UNLIKELY (THAT) + CLAUSE
6. SUBJ. + DOUBT WHETHER + CLAUSE

EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: Helen arrives late at 7 out of 10 job interviews she goes. Tomorrow she
has an interview at a high school.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. I doubt (that) Helen will arrive on time at the job interview tomorrow.
2. It’s doubtful (that) Helen will arrive on time at the job interview
tomorrow.
3. She probably won’t arrive on time at the job interview tomorrow.
4. She’s unlikely to arrive on time at the job interview tomorrow.
5. It’s unlikely (that) Helen will arrive on time at the job interview tomorrow.
6. I doubt whether Helen will arrive on time at the job interview tomorrow.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

50 % OF POSSIBILITY
1. SUBJ. + COULD / MIGHT / MAY + BASE FORM OF V.
2. THERE’S A CHANCE (THAT) + CLAUSE
3. THERE’S LIKELIHOOD (THAT) + CLAUSE

EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: Fred wants to travel abroad to practice North - American English.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. Fred might / may / could travel to Canada.

2. There’s a chance (that) Fred travels to Canada.
3. There’s likelihood (that) Fred travels to Canada.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

70 % OF PROBABILITY
1. SUBJ. + WILL PRESUMABLY + BASE FORM OF V.
2. SUBJ. + MAY / MIGHT / COULD WELL + BASE FORM OF V.
3. SUBJ. + BE BOUND TO + BASE FORM OF V.
4. THERE’S (A) DISTINCT CHANCE / POSSIBILITY (THAT) + CLAUSE
5. THERE’S (A) FAIRLY GOOD CHANCE (THAT) + CLAUSE
6. (THE) CHANCES ARE (THAT) + CLAUSE

EXAMPLE 1:
FACT: Brazil often has good participations at world cups.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. Brazil will presumably have a good participation at the next world cup.
2. Brazil may / might / could well have a good participation at the next world
cup.
3. Brazil is bound to have a good participation at the next world cup.
4. There’s (a) distinct chance / possibility (that) Brazil has a good
participation at the next world cup.
5. There’s (a) fairly good chance (that) Brazil has a good participation at the
next world cup.
6. (The) chances are (that) Brazil will have a good participation at the next
world cup.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 FUTURE PROBABILITY (E I C: C 2 – UNIT 4: LESSON 1)

90 % OF PROBABILITY
1. THERE’S A STRONG POSSIBILITY (THAT) + CLAUSE
2. SUBJ. + WILL ALMOST DEFINITELY + BASE FORM OF V.

EXAMPLE 1:

FACT: Jack almost always spends his birthday with his friends at a night club.
His 28th birthday is coming next week.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. There’s a strong possibility (that) Jack celebrates his birthday at a night

club next week.
2. Jack will almost definitely celebrate his birthday at a night club next week.

100 % OF CERTAINTY
1. SUBJ. + BE SURE TO + BASE FORM OF V.
2. SUBJ. + BE CERTAIN TO + BASE FORM OF V.

3. THERE’S EVERY LIKELIHOOD (THAT) + CLAUSE

FACT: A new soccer World Cup always takes place every four years.
SAID ANOTHER WAY:

1. A new soccer World Cup is sure to take place in 2026.

2. A new soccer World Cup is certain to take place in 2026.
3. There’s every likelihood (that) a new soccer World Cup takes place in 2026.
Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.