Modals of probability

Modals of probability are formed the same ways as
other modals,but have different meanings. Words
such as COULD, SHOULD, MAY, and MIGHT have
only one form, and come before the verb:

Statements: MODAL + (NOT) + VERB:

- Walter MIGHT BE here, but he has probably left.

- I MAY HAVE enough money. Otherwise will you lend me some?

- This SHOULDN'T TAKE long. Can you wait for me?

- Jerry MUST know about the meeting; I mailed him.

Questions: (QUESTION WORD) + MODAL + SUBJECT + VERB

- Where COULD Tom BE GOING?

- SHOULD ten minutes BE enough time for your appointment?
Where MIGHT Sally KEEP her appointment book?

- Modals MAY and OUGHT TO are rarely used in question forms.

Notice the varying degrees of probability:

- John MAY BE at home. (It's possible he's there.)

- He MIGHT BE outside in the garden. (It is a little less possible.)

- He COULD BE at the neighbors. (It's another possibility - COULD is used more and more as a synonym of MAY or MIGHT in colloquial English)

- John SHOULD BE at home. (That's where I expect him to be.)

- He OUGHT TO BE expecting us. (He probably is. SHOULD & OUGHT TO are almost synonymous)

- John MUST BE at home. (I'm almost certain; we just spoke on the phone.)

- John COULDN'T BE at home! (I know he's out of town until tomorrow.)

We'd better hurry back or they _________ tow the car away.
1. ought to
2. should
3. may
4. must
I've looked for Edgar everywhere. Do you think he __________ be out to lunch ?
1. must
2. might
3. should
4. ought to
Where __________ ? I thought it was in my pocket.
1. should my wallet be
2. should be my wallet
3. could my wallet be
4. could be my wallet
Gina _______ long hours. She never has time to do anything else.
1. may work
2. must work
3. should work
4. might work
I always see John walking around town. He __________ have a car.
1. must not
2. might not
3. couldn't
4. shouldn't
Mary _________ know about the meeting because she got a memo. Maybe she didn't read it.
1. ought to
2. could
3. must
4. might
I've never eaten at Mario's, but they _________ have a children's menu. It's a family restaurant.
1. could
2. should
3. may
4. might
I just heard that the flight __________ leave on time due to stormy weather.
1. may not
2. shouldn't
3. must not
4. ought not
Tom ________ have a car accident. I can't believe it, he's such a safe driver.
1. may not
2. mustn't
3. couldn't
4. might not
Where _________ a newsstand that sells foreign magazines ?
1. I might find
2. I should find
3. should I find
4. might I find
Bill _________ go to Bermuda on vacation but he hasn't decided for sure.
1. should
2. may
3. ought to
4. must
The days in Bermuda will be warm at this time of year but it ____________ cool off at night.
1. should
2. could
3. ought
4. must
Janet's passport __________ be ready by now. It's been over six weeks since she applied for it.
1. could
2. may
3. might
4. ought to
This is the third time Laura has been late this month. What ________ of her ?
1. could her boss think
2. must her boss think
3. her boss ought to think
4. her boss might think
Paula is looking around for a new job. She _________ like the one she has.
1. couldn't
2. must not
3. shouldn't
4. may not
Why don't we drive ? I'm afraid there ________ be any cabs at this time of night.
1. might not
2. must not
3. couldn't
4. shouldn't
I don't see Ken anywhere in the office. I guess he _________ be in the toilets.
1. could
2. should
3. shouldn't
4. might not
No one named Frank works on our floor. He _________ work downstairs.
1. ought to
2. must
3. should
The moon looks so big and round. It __________ be full tonight.
1. might
2. could
3. must
4. should
Otto said he'd be here at 8.00 and it's five to eight. He __________ arrive any minute now.
1. might
2. must
3. should
4. may
The drive from here to Boston __________ take more than two hours, unless traffic is heavy.
1. mustn't
2. shouldn't
3. couldn't
4. might not
I'm in love with Steven. He _____________ be marrying someone else !
I'll die !
1. shouldn't
2. couldn't
3. might not
4. must not
I took two asprin for my headache. It ___________ to go away in a few minutes.
1. could
2. ought
3. must
4. should
William is always expensively dressed and drives a fancy car. He ________ earn a lot of money.
1. might
2. must
3. should
4. may
I have to write down your last name or I __________ remember how to spell it.
1. might not
2. shouldn't
3. mustn't
4. couldn't
Not many people think Gary's idea will work, but I guess we ________
try it.
1. must
2. may
3. could
4. ought
Getting a car stereo installed ____________ be too expensive ; at least mine wasn't. Why don't you check ?
1. shouldn't
2. may not
3. might not
4. must not
I don't know whether I can come to the party. I ________ have to work.
1. may
2. must
3. should
4. ought to

Level 6 Chapter 2 - Modals of probability