Modals of Possibility

Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes
A. Introduction to Modals

Modals (also known as modal verbs) are words that come

before the main verb. They give the verb an extra meaning,
such as ability, advice, or possibility.

Modals are always followed by a base verb.

A base verb is a verb with no ending (-s, -ed, -ing, etc.) added to it.

Look at the following chart to see examples of different types of modals.

Modals Type Example

can/could ability I can speak three languages.

should advice You should study more often.

must necessity He must apply for the job by Friday.

might/could/may possibility She might go to the movies tonight.

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 Modals of Possibility
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes cont.

B. Modals of Possibility

Modals of possibility show that something is possible now.

They can also show that something might happen in the future.

Modals of possibility include might, could, and may.

These modals all have the meaning of "possible" and "maybe."
Might and could are very common. May is more formal and not used as often.

Positive Sentences Negative Sentences Questions

might
Alia might go to the party. Alia might not go to the party. (not common)

could
Juan could be late. (not common) Could Juan be late?

may
They may buy a new car. They may not buy a new car. (not common)

Note #1 Note #2
Could not is almost always used to show past ability, The adverb maybe is often used to show possibility.
not present or future possibility. We usually use maybe at the beginning or end of
a sentence. Compare the adverb maybe with the
modal may.
(Past ability = She didn't go to the party.)
Lisa might not go to the party.
He may be sick today.
(Future possibility = She's not sure
if she will go to the party or not.) Maybe they have a cat.
They may have a cat.

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 Modals of Possibility
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 1
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Write might, could, or may in the sentences below to show possibility.

More than one answer might be possible.

Ex. Mina might help me with my homework.

1. John and Amy might get a new kitten.

2. I could study Japanese next year.

3. Pavel might try out for hockey next year.

4. Daniel may not go to school because he's sick.

5. she be our new teacher?

6. We may try this new restaurant tonight.

7. Louise and Pierre might get married in the spring.

8. that be our bus?

9. They may not be ready to take the test.

10. Isabella may not join the basketball team this year.

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 Modals of Possibility
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 3
WHAT COULD IT BE?

Look at the images. With a partner, come up with some guesses about
what each image might be. Use might, could, or may in each sentence.

# Image What could this be?

It could be an envelope.
Ex
It might be a wide-screen TV.

It could be the sun

1

It could be a pyramid
2

It could be a ice
3

It could be a video game console

4

It could be a ball
5

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 Can, Could, May and Might Exercise

Use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill each gap.

1 They (can/might) might .................... be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.

2 You (may/might) .............................. leave now if you wish.

3 (Could/May) ............................... you open the window a bit, please?
4 He (can/could) ............................... be French, judging by his accent.

5 (May/Can). ............................. you play the piano?

6 Listen, please. You (may not/might not) ............................... speak during this exam.

7 They (can't/may not). ............................. still be out!

8 You (couldn't/might not) ............................... smoke on the bus.

9 With luck, tomorrow (can/could). ............................ be a sunny day.
10 You (can/might). ............................. be right but I'm going back to check anyway.

11 The exam (can/might). ..............................be easy. You never know.

12 I (can/might) .............................. go to the party but I'm not sure yet.

13 Students (may/might) ............................... study in the library from five to nine in the evening.

14 (May/Could) ............................... you lend me 40 Euros til Monday?

www.autoenglish.org Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007