Interactive Grammar 2.0 — Modals for Future Possibility

Grammar Notes: Future possibility

Read how these modals change the meaning of certainty, then try the activities.

Study First

1. Fairly certain about the future

Use will or won’t (will not) when you want to say you are reasonably sure about a future situation or result.

Example: If we cut emissions sharply, air quality will improve. If we ignore the problem, it won’t disappear on its own.

2. Uncertain — possibilities

Could, might, and may all mean the future is open: more than one outcome is possible.

Example: New technology might reduce waste. Costs could fall later. The plan may need more funding.

3. Uncertain — “perhaps not”

Use might not to say you are not sure something will happen. Do not use could not for this meaning.

Example: The species might not survive if the habitat shrinks.

4. Verb form after the modal

After a modal, use the base form of the verb (no to before the main verb).

Example: Desert farms could become an important source of food. (Not ~~could to become~~.)

Activity 2: Fill in the Blanks

Type the missing modal (one or two words). Use lowercase. Where might and could both express possibility, or might not and may not both fit, either form is accepted.

1. With better insulation, our home energy use drop next winter.

2. If we ignore the warning signs, the damage stop by itself.

3. The map is only a guess: ocean currents shift in ways we do not yet fully understand.

4. This new material replace plastic in some packaging.

5. The official notice says visitors be asked to show ID at the gate.

6. The species recover if the river stays polluted.

7. In this region, we see more droughts if rainfall keeps dropping.

Activity 3: Flashcards

Tap the card to see how each form talks about future possibility or certainty.

Card 1 of 7 Tap to Flip

will

Modal

Click to see notes.

Certainty about the future

Meaning

Activity 4: Word Scramble

Unscramble the letters to spell a modal or short phrase.

1. Unscramble:

LLIW

2. Unscramble (include the apostrophe):

TWNOT

3. Unscramble:

DLOUC

4. Unscramble:

THGIM

5. Unscramble:

YAM

6. Unscramble (two words):

TON HTGIM

Activity 5: Sentence Builder

Write a sentence about the environment or science that includes the highlighted modal phrase. Use a capital letter and end punctuation.

Use will (future certainty) in a sentence:

Use might not (negative uncertainty) in a sentence:

Use may (uncertain future, more formal) in a sentence:

Use won't (certain that something will not happen) in a sentence:

Activity 6: Matching Game

Match each modal or label on the left with the short description on the right.

Interactive Grammar Lab 2.0

Grammar Notes: Future possibility

1. Fairly certain about the future

2. Uncertain — possibilities

3. Uncertain — “perhaps not”

4. Verb form after the modal

Activity 1: Multiple Choice

1. If we protect the forest, the number of species there ______ rise again.

2. Without new policies, the problem ______ fix itself overnight.

3. Sea levels ______ go up faster than we expect if ice melts quickly.

4. This new design ______ cut energy use in cold climates.

5. The report allows that final figures ______ change once all sites send data.

6. The plan ______ work everywhere; local conditions vary a lot.

7. The full data ______ be ready until the end of the year.

8. We ______ see more droughts in this region if rainfall keeps dropping.