Present and future possibility
We use may, might and could to talk about present or future possibility.
'There's someone at the door.' 'It may be Sarah.' (=Perhaps it is Sarah.)
We aren't sure what we are going to do tomorrow. We might go to the beach. (= Perhaps we will go to the beach.)
'Where's Simon?' 'He could be in the living room.' (= Perhaps he is in the living room.)
Might is normally a little less sure than may. Could is normally less sure than may or might.
+++ may ++ might + could
We use the negatives may not and might not (contraction: mightn't) with this meaning, but not could not.
Simon may not be in the living room. (= Perhaps he is not in the living room.) We might not go to the beach. (= Perhaps we will not go to the beach.)
Note the form: may /might /could + be +... -ing.
They may be having dinner at the moment. (= Perhaps they are having dinner.)
Possibility in the past
We can use may/might/could + have + past participle to talk about possibility in the past.
'Where was Sally last night?' 'I think she may have been at the cinema.' (= I think perhaps she was at the cinema.) 'Peter is late.' 'He might have missed his train. (= Perhaps he missed/ has missed his train.) 'I can't find my wallet anywhere.' 'You could have left it at home.' (= Perhaps you left/ have left it at home.)
'She walked straight past me without saying hello.' 'She might not have seen you.' (= Perhaps she didn't see you.)
We also use could and might (but not may) with have + past participle to say that something was possible in the past but did not happen.
'I forgot to lock my car last night.' 'You were lucky. Someone could have stolen it.' You were stupid to try to climb that tree. You might have killed yourself.
Illustrative Situations
1. Pam: Do you know the Bartons' new address, Jeff? Jeff: No, sorry, I don't.
Pam: Do you think Steve will have it? Jeff: Yes, he may know it. Ring him. Pam (Rings the number.): No reply. Oh, it's Wednesday.
Jill may be at her evening class. Jeff: And Steve said he might have to work late. They
may not be home until after 9 o'clock.
2. It's World Cup time. Stephen and Jim are talking about football and the different matches.
Jim: I wonder what's going to happen. Do you think
Russia will win the cup? Stephen: They might win the cup, but I doubt it.
Jim: Do you? I wonder if Charlie Watts will play for
England. Stephen: He might play for England but I doubt it.
3. Mrs Collins usually has a driving lesson every afternoon. Her instructor isn't sure if he can give her one tomorrow. She might have one tomorrow.
If she has a driving lesson at all tomorrow it will be from 2 to 3 o'clock. One of Mrs Collins's friends has just rung up and has said she wants to come over at 2.30. 'Don't come over then,' Mrs Collins says. 'I might be having a driving lesson.'
4. Two weeks ago an old woman was found dead in her attic in Amsterdam. Among her scanty belongings two large paintings were discovered, each with the name of 'Rembrandt' at the bottom. An art expert is examining the paintings now. He cannot be sure about them yet. Certainly, however, the style is right and it has been established through various tests that the paintings are the right age. They might have been painted by Rembrandt.
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5. Lady Crocker casually left her car with the keys still in the door. It was still there when she got back.
It could have been stolen.
Activities
/. The people interviewing Julie for the job can't understand why she is so late.
A: Why isn't Miss Wilson here?
B: She may be ill or she might be too nervous. It may not be her fault.
What other possible explanations do the interviewers think of? Use may/might (not):
1. Perhaps her train is late.
2. Perhaps her watch is slow.
3. Perhaps she doesn't know the way.
4. It's just possible she thinks it's on another day.
5. Perhaps there's a traffic jam.
6. Maybe she feels the salary is too low.
7. There's a slight possibility that she doesn't want the job after all.
8. Perhaps she's not feeling well today.
9. It's just possible she has a good reason.
//. The dentist isn't sure if he can save the tooth but he hopes to. He says:
'Well, I may be able to save it.' What do you say in the same situation if someone asks you:
1. Can you come to the party?
2. Can you do this work?
3. Can you learn all these words?
4. Can you repair the damage?
5. Can you carry this case?
III. Make up similar dialogues using the prompts.
1. James/win/tennis championship?
A: Do you think James will win the tennis championship? B: Well, he might, but I doubt it. He hasn't been playing very well recently.
1. you/pass/exam?
2. Peter/get/promotion he wants?
3. there/be/nuclear war?
4. we/find/cure for cancer?
2. When/you/be/back home? 6.00
A: When do you think you'll be back home?
B: I might be back at 6.00. It depends on the traffic.
1. How/you/find/money to buy a car? Bank loan.
2. When/your book/be/ready for publication? In six months' time.
3. Who/get job of Director? Henry.
4. How long /your trip around the world/take you? A couple of years.
3. A: Where are you going for your holidays this year? B: We haven't decided yet. We might go to Greece, or we might go to Italy.
Student A Ask the questions.
Student You haven't made up your mind!
1. travel? fly/go by car
2. stay? hotel/rent a house
3. How long...?
for a week/for a fortnight
4. When...? July/August
5. Who... with? friends/alone
IV. What are some of the things you might be doing at these times:
7.30 tomorrow morning
6.15 tomorrow evening
10.25 next Saturday morning
11 o'clock in the morning on a warm day next summer
this time next year
V. Respond by using 'I don't know' + may/might/could.
Example: (...)'s grammar book isn't on her desk. Where is
it? Response-. I don't know. It may/might/could be in her book
bag.
1. (...) isn't in class today. Where is s/he? (/ don't know. S/he...)
2. Where does (...) live? (I don't know. S/he...)
3. What do you think I have in my briefcase/pocket/purse?
4. What kind of watch is (...) wearing?
5. I can't find my pen. Do you know where it is?
6. How old.do you think (someone famous) is?
7. What are you going to do tomorrow?
8. What's the weather going to be like tomorrow?
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VI. Listen to the clues; then make guesses. Use could, may and might.
Example made of metal and you keep it in a pocket.
TEACHER: I'm thinking of something made of metal that you can find in my pocket. What could it be?
STUDENTS: It could be a pen. It could be some keys. It might be a paper clip. It may be a small pocket knife. It could be a coin.
TEACHER: (...) was right. I was thinking of the keys in my pocket.
1. has wheels and a motor
2. is made of plastic and can be found in my purse/pocket
3. is brown, is made of leather, and is in this room
4. is flat and rectangular
5. is white, hard and in this room
6. is played with a ball on a large field
7. has (three) stories/storeys and is made of (brick)
8. has four legs and is found on a farm
9. is green and we can see it out of that window
10. is sweet and you can eat it
VII. Put in suitable forms which express uncertainty or possibility.
We make decisions all the time, but we... never be certain whether we are right or wrong. The work you choose to do... be suitable for you or it... not. The person you marry...
be a perfect match or... be the worst possible choice. Suppose you have saved money for the future. You... invest it wisely so that it grows in value or you... lose the lot in a foolish moment. You think you have a healthy diet, but the food you eat... actually be very bad for you and... be the cause of terrible illness. Perhaps you travel a lot by plane. All the flights you make are routine, but one of them... be your last. Decisions! Decisions! But we.don't learn from experience. Experience is the quality that allows us to go on making the same mistakes with more confidence!
VIII. Replace may by might or can, as appropriate.
1. They may come with us, but I think they're too busy. 2. I know it rained yesterday and today, but it may be fine tomorrow. 3. You may leave as soon as you have finished. 4. I know you don't like television but you may enjoy this programme. 5. The snow is getting deeper. The trains may not be running. 6. The students may answer the questions in any order they like. 7. Visitors to Britain may not work in the country without a permit. 8. Jamie may ask for a sweet; if he does, he may have one. 9. My father says I may go to the party as long as I get home by midnight.
IX. Make up short dialogues.
[> The speakers are wondering what happened to certain things/people.
A: Perhaps she took it with her.
B: Well, she may have taken it away with her, I suppose.
Note This exercise can be done with might /could instead of may. Perhaps...
1. he stole it.
2. she sold it.
3. you lost it.
4. she drank it.
5. he threw it away.
6. she left it at home.
7. he ate it.
8. they hid it in the attic.
9. he burnt it.
10. she tore it up.
11. they had an accident.
12. their car broke down.
| 13. he advised them not to come. 14. he fell overboard. 15. they got lost. | 16. he was murdered. 17. something delayed them. 18. he took the wrong drug. |
(a) A: Perhaps he is working for Jones. B: Yes, he may be working for Jones.
(b) A: Perhaps he was working for Jones. B: He may have been working for Jones.
Note This exercise can be done with might/could.
(a) Perhaps... (b) Perhaps...
1. he is waiting for 1. he was waiting for someone. someone.
2. they are wondering what 2. they were wondering to do. what to do.
3. she is trying to confuse us. i.e. just as in (a),. but re-
4. they are window-shopping. placing IS/ARE by WAS/
5. she is expecting a letter WERE from us.
6. he is looking for another job.
7. they are working overtime.
8. he is listening at the keyhole.
9. they are watching television.
10. he is following us.
11. he is learning karate.
12. she is telling his fortune.
13. he is showing her the way.
14. she is doing exercises.
15. they are burying something.
16. he is taking drugs.
17. they are helping the police.
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Ann and Bill are worried about a packet they are expecting from a not very efficient firm.
A: Perhaps they didn't treat this order as urgent.
B: Yes, it may/might not have been treated as urgent.
Perhaps they...
1. didn't deal with the order at once.
2. didn't post the packet promptly.
3. didn't mark it urgent.
4. didn't address it correctly.
5. didn't label it clearly.
6. didn't tie it up properly.
7. didn't send it by air.
8. didn't stamp it sufficiently.
9. didn't register it.
10. didn't insure it.
X. Here, Wilson is speaking to his secretary, Margaret Dobson.
Wilson: Can you type all these letters? I must have
them before 6. Margaret: Well, I may have typed them all by then. I
can't be sure.
Reply as Margaret did. Wilson says:
1. Finish all this work by this evening.
2. Do you think you can do it before 5?
3. Type this interview before noon.
4. Oh, and you must make all these-phone calls before I get back.
5. And book my tickets before lunch.
Wilson: My airline ticket still hasn't arrived. It was
sent five days ago. Margaret: Well, it may have got lost in the post.
What does she say if she thinks that perhaps:
1. the postman delivered it to the office downstairs
2. the airline sent it to the wrong person
3. the airline has forgotten to post it
4. it has come in this morning's post
5. she has put it on his desk
6. someone has taken it away by mistake
XI. Draw possible conclusions.
A: He was found wandering around the house at three in
the morning, (he/sleepwalk) B: He might have been sleepwalking.
1. I don't know who she was talking to for so long, (she/ phone/her boyfriend)
2. Why did you tell me to turn down the music? (the neighbours/try to sleep)
3. There was a strange sound outside the sitting room window
last night, (someone/try to break in)
4. I phoned her but her number was engaged, (she/try to phone you)
5. You weren't in when I called yesterday. (I/sit in the garden)
XII. Here is some advice that the travel agent gave Mr Wilson before he went to a foreign country. Complete it with may/ might (not) + phrases from the list:
get ill stop have to pay a lot
ask be a lot of traffic have been washed
1. You'd better leave for the airport early there______.
2. Don't drink water from the taps you______.
3. Don't eat salad in restaurants it ______.
4. You'd better take out medical insurance you______
otherwise.
5. Mind how you cross the road when you're there the traffic______even if the lights are red.
6. Take your passport everywhere with you the police ______to see it.
XIII. Rewrite these sentences using may/might (not) or may/ might (not) have instead of perhaps, it's possible and maybe. (Remember that the only difference between may and might is that might is weaker.)
1. Perhaps they have forgotten where we live.
2. It's possible they've lost our address.
3. There's a possibility that they didn't get our invitation.
4. Or maybe they thought it said Thursday, not Tuesday.
5. It's possible their car has broken down.
6. Perhaps they have been held up by a traffic jam in the centre.
7. Or maybe someone telephoned them when they were leaving.
XIV. Turn these 'certain' statements into 'possible/less than certain' statements.
1. He is at home now______. He may-might could be at
home now.
2. He will be at home tomorrow.____________________.
3. He was at home yesterday.______________________.
4. She leaves at nine.____________________________.
5. She will leave tomorrow._______________________.
6. She has left._________________________________.
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7. She left last night.____________________________.
8. She will have left by nine.______________________.
9. He is working today.___________________________.
10. He will be working today._______________________.
11. He was working today._________________________.
12. He has been working all day.____________________.
XV. Write uncertain answers to these questions.
1. Where's Jim today? He may/might/could be at home.
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 the car cost?
XVI. Now answer as does here.
A: I drove very fast but I didn't have an accident. B: Yes, but you might have had an accident! That's why you shouldn't have driven so fast!
1. I ran out into the street without looking and nothing
happened to me. 2.1 drank five bottles of whisky and I did not die afterwards.
3. I shouted at the boss but he did not sack me.
4. I didn't set the alarm clock and I didn't oversleep the next morning, either.
5. They built the house with very cheap materials and it didn't fall down.
6. I didn't lock my car last night but it wasn't stolen.
XVII. Imagine you are talking to someone who has written a book on the Titanic disaster.
A: The other ship didn't help. It just sailed away. B: In other words, the other ship could have helped but it didn't.
1. Some passengers didn't escape even though there was some room in the lifeboats.
2. They didn't even get into the boats.
3. The telegraph operator knew there were icebergs around. He didn't tell the captain.
4. The Titanic didn't avoid the iceberg even though it saw it in good time.
5. For some reason, the other ship didn't stop.
6. And so, all those people were never saved.
XVIII. Imagine you are an old man or woman. You are looking back at all the things you never did when you were younger. You are sure you could have done all these things.
Example You never became rich.
You say. I could have become rich, but I didn't. What a pity.
Think of more things you might say. For example: you never learned Chinese, became a famous film star, travelled round the world, etc.
XIX. Make up short dialogues.
A: I got there on Tuesday.
B: Couldn't you have got there before? (=Wouldn't this have been possible?)
1. I posted it on Tuesday.
2. They paid me on Tuesday.
3. She started on Tuesday.
4. He brought it back on Tuesday.
5. He sent in his application on Tuesday.
6. I phoned him on Tuesday.
7. They moved out on Tuesday.
8. We left on Tuesday.
9. She wrote on Tuesday.
10. He applied on Tuesday.
11. He booked the tickets on Tuesday.
12. They reported it to the police on Tuesday.
13. We re-addressed the letters on Tuesday.
14. I got back on Tuesday.
15. I made the arrangements on Tuesday.
16. I cancelled the tickets on Tuesday.
17. I answered his letter on Tuesday.
18. I gave her the message on Tuesday.
19. We invited him on Tuesday.
20. I told them about it on Tuesday.
XX. Complete the following sentences in an appropriate way, using either might or could + an infinitive (present or past).
1. If I don't have too much work tonight, I______.
2. My car's being repaired at the moment. Sorry. If I had it, I______.
3. If I earned more money I______.
4. Four people died in a fire at their home. If they had had a smoke detector, they______.
5. If you were more understanding of other people,______.
6. If it's a nice day on Sunday, we______.
7. I've got terrible toothache. If the dentist decides I've got a bad tooth,______.
8. The ship had no life boats, and twenty-five people drowned. If______.
9. I started writing poetry after I'd met a famous poet at a cocktail party. He encouraged me to start. If______.
10. It's a lovely day, and the sea's beautifully warm. What a pity we didn't bring our swimming costumes! If______.
XXI. Write may, might, or could with an appropriate infinitive (present or past, simple or continuous) in each gap. Often all three are possible, but pay attention to the form of the infinitive.
1.1 wonder why Alan didn't buy me anything for my birthday. I suppose he... (forget). Or he... (think) that now I'm getting on, I don't like to be reminded of my advancing years. On the other hand, he can't have forgotten! He... (give) me a present this evening when I see him. Oh no! He... (plan) a surprise party, as he did last year. What a disaster that was! I hope he isn't doing it again!
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2. Every time I phone Jane, it's engaged. It's very annoying. I suppose she... (try) to phone me while I'm phoning her. I'll wait a while.
3. I can't help worrying when Jack is late back home. I always think that he... (have) an accident, and that he... (lie) on the side of the road with ambulances and police cars all about him. I know it's irrational. Wait a minute! It's Tuesday today, isn't it? He works late some Tuesdays. He... (not leave) the office yet, I'll give him a ring.
4. I wonder why Helen has got all these books on Greece from the library. I suppose she... (think) of going there on holiday. On the other hand, she... (not get) them out
for herself. They... (be) for Henry. He... (write) a project on Greece for his geography course.
XXII. Translate from Russian into English.
1. ? , , . 2. , . , . 3. ? . - . 4. , . 5. , . , . 6. , . 7. . ; , . 8. , , . . 9. , , , . 10. , . 11. , , . 12. , , . 13. , . 14. . , , . 15. . 16. , , . 17. , . , . 18. , , , , . 19. , . . 20. ; . 21. . , . 22. ? , , . 23. , . 24. , . 25. , . 26. , , , . 27. , , , . 28. , . 29. , ? 30. , , . 31. ! , , . .
give her a ring next week. Perhaps she'd like to
have lunch with me one day. Clare: I'm sure she'd love to, Mum, but she might not be
here. I think she's going to Ireland next week. Ann: Goodness! When is she going back to Australia? Clare: I'm not sure. She may try to get a job here in
England for a while. Ann: Good. Oh, just look at that sky! I think we're going
to have a lovely autumn.
A. In pairs, say why you should take certain things on a walking trip.
A: Shall I take a sweater? B: Yes, you might get cold.
1. a sweater 4. a pair of binoculars
2. a compass 5. a camera
3. a bar of chocolate 6. some matches
get lost get hungry need to light a fire
want to do some birdwatching
want to take some photos get cold
B. In pairs, ask and answer questions about possible future events.
A: Where do you think you'll go for your next holiday? B: I think I might go to Thailand.
1. What are you going to do at the weekend?
2. What are you going to do about your English studies after this course?
3. What's the next article of clothing you are going to buy?
4. What's the next film you are going to see?
5. What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow?
6. Pierre: Where are you and Simon going to go for your
vacation?
Lucy: We haven't decided yet. We might go to Paris, or we might go to Madrid.
Pierre: Oh, that's nice. Paris is an interesting city. It's beautiful. I was there a couple of years ago. Of course, Madrid is very nice, too.
Lynn: Have you ever been to France?
Lucy: No, I haven't. My family was from Spain originally so I've travelled in Spain and Portugal, but I've never gone to France.
Pierre: Has your husband ever been there?
Lucy: No. Simon's never been there either.
Pierre: Well, Paris might be a nice place for a vacation. It's very romantic!
Lucy: Yeah, but it may be expensive. I have to check with my travel agent.
Lynn: What's the weather like this time of the year?
Lucy: I don't know. It may not be very nice. I have to check that, too. Madrid might be warmer.
A. Read the statements about Lucy and Simon. Work in groups and make comments about each statement with might (not) or may (not).
Simon and Lucy aren't going to take many suitcases on their vacation.
A: They might not like carrying a lot of things. B: They may prefer travelling light. C: They may not need a lot of clothes.
1. Lucy and Simon don't want to spend a lot of money for their plane tickets.
2. Simon isn't interested in going to a beach.
3. Lucy isn't interested in going to the country.
4. They want to go to a big city.
5. They're worried about going to Paris.
6. They can't go on a long vacation. They're going for only a week.
7. A: You know, we're studying dinosaurs in science class.
It's really interesting.
B: Oh, yeah? Hey, have you learned why the dinosaurs disappeared?
A: Well, no one knows for sure.
B: I thought it had something to do with the climate. The
temperature might have gotten cooler and killed them
off. A: Yeah, that's one theory, another idea is that they may
have run out of food. B: Uh-huh. And you know, there's even a theory that
they could have been destroyed by aliens from outer
space. A: That sounds crazy to me!
A. You have arranged to meet a friend in front of a coffee shop at 4 o'clock. It is 4.15. You are there but your friend is not. Why? Think of possible explanations with may have..., might have, or could have. For example: perhaps he forgot about it, or has had an accident, or his car has broken down, etc.
8. George didn't come to his English class yesterday evening, and all the students in the class are wondering why.
Natasha thinks he might have gotten sick. Henry thinks he might have had a doctor's appointment. Mr and Mrs Ramirez think that one of George's children may have been sick. Nicole thinks he may have had to work overtime. Mr and Mrs Sato think he might have gone to the airport to meet his relatives who are arriving from overseas. And Maria thinks he may have decided to study in another school.
All the students are curious about why George didn't come to English class yesterday evening... and they're a little concerned.
A. Tell a story using this model as a guide.
Our English teacher didn't come to class today, and all the students are wondering why.
______thinks______.
______thinks______.
And I think______.
We're all curious why our English teacher didn't come to class today... and we're a little concerned.
