Use may not and might not to express the

possibility that something will not happen.

He has good intentions, but he might not solve

the problems.

Use couldnt to express the idea that

something is impossible.

A: Why dont you cut class tomorrow?

B: I couldnt do that. I have to give a
presentation .

Questions about possibility usually do

not use may, might, or could. Instead,
they use the future (will, be going to,
the present progressive) or phrases
such as Do you think? or Is it
possible that?

A:Do you think it will rain tomorrow

too?
B: It could stop tonight.
The answers to these questions often
use may, might or could.
4

When we are almost 100% certain, we

use must, have to, or have got to to
state affirmative conclusions.

FACT
Wilson has only one
clerk.
Wilson applied for a
job.
They pay men for
debating with the
president.

CONCLUSION
His shop must be
quite small
He has to need
money.
Its got to be a joke.
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When we are less certain about our

conclusion, we use may, might, or
could to express that something is
possible.

FACT
His hand is swollen.
Watson knows a lot
about medicine.
Vincent knows a lot
about cameras.

CONCLUSION
He may write a lot.
He might be a doctor.
He could be a
photographer.

To express negative conclusions:

Use cant and couldnt when you are
almost 100 percent certain that
something
is impossible.
He cant be dead! I just saw him!
Use must not when you are slightly
less certain.
He must not have enough money. He
never buys new clothes.

Use may not and might not when you

are even less certain.
He may not know about the plan. His
boss doesnt tell him everything.
Do not use have to and have got to to
draw negative conclusions.
CORRECT: It cant be true!
INCORRECT: It doesnt have to be true!