Indicating likelihood
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Using modal verbs to indicate likelihood | page 2 of 7 |
List of modal verbs which can be used to indicate likelihood
The following modal verbs (plus negatives) can be used to indicate degrees of likelihood in English:
cannot (can't)  |
might |
will not (won't) |
have to |
| could | might not (mightn't) | would  |
have got to |
| could not (couldn't) | should | would not (wouldn't) | shall |
| may |
should not (shouldn't) | must | |
| may not | will |
ought to |
Note that different modals are typically used to indicate varying degrees of likelihood. Technically, have to and have got to are semi-modal verbs, but for ease of reading, they have been included in this file.
When modal verbs are used to indicate likelihood they indicate the speaker's personal opinion about the truth or likelihood of what they are saying. Some modals such as shall only convey likelihood when they are used with the appropriate subject, in this case, the first person (I shall be there on time - don't worry!). With a second person subject, the speaker would be indicating obligation rather than likelihood (You shall be there on time - don't be late!).
Introduction
List of modal verbs which can be used to indicate likelihood
