9B grammar

1. Modals for speculating p.89

2. speculating = guessing

3. We use modals to speculate (guess) about

4. We use modals to speculate (guess) about
the future
and
the present

5. modals = helping verbs

6. Which modals do we use when we are more certain?

7. Which modals do we use when we are more certain?
must
must not
can’t

8. Which modals do we use when we are less certain?

9. Which modals do we use when we are less certain?
could
may not
might
might not

10. Modals for speculating: Form
subject + modal (not) + verb

11. Modals for speculating: Form
subject + modal (not) + verb
He must (not) be busy.
He may (not) like her.

12. Modals for speculating: Form
subject + modal (not) + be + verb-ing
He might (not) be feeling
stressed out.
She could (not) be waiting
for you.

13. Modals for speculating
Speculating with more certainty Speculating with less certainty
She must be sick She never misses
class.
The must not get along. They don’t
want to sit next to each other.
He can’t be angry. He’s smiling
She might have a doctor’s appointment
or something.
They may not know each other very well.
I think they just met.
He could be angry, but maybe he doesn’t
want to show it.

14. We use must to show that we are
100% certain that something is true.
She must be sick. She never misses
classes.

15. We use must not and can’t to show that
we’re almost certain that something
is not true.
They must not get along. They don’t want
to sit next to each other.
He can’t be angry. He’s smiling.

16. We use might, may, and could to say
there’s a chance that something is true,
but we’re not 100% sure.
She might have a doctor’s appointment or something.
They may not know each other very well. I think they just met.
He could be angry, but maybe he doesn’t want to show it.

17. We use might not / may not, to say
that it is possible that something isn’t
true.
He might not / may not go to Brazil.
(It is possible that he won’t go and stay home.)
Compare with:
He can’t be in Brazil! I saw him yesterday.
(It is not possible that he is in Brazil.)

18. You can also use the continuous form
after the modal.
subject + modal + be + verb-ing
He must be feeling upset.
She could be running late.
They must not be getting along.
Tom may not be arriving on time.
Mother might be staying up with the baby.

19. Lets practice together

20. He is late for class.

21. He is late for class.
He might be

22. He is late for class.
He might be busy.

23. He is late for class.
He might be staying home today.

24. He is late for class.
He might not be coming.

25. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.

26. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.
She could be

27. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.
She could be busy.

28. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.
She could be angry.

29. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.
She could be feeing hurt.

30. My girlfriend won’t answer my texts.
She must not be feeing good.

31. Answer grammar on p.89