Language and vocabulary study

Could, might, may or will: how sure are you?

1 Look at the examples. Then complete the grammar rules.

The bold words in the examples show how certain each speaker is about the future.

Fill the gaps with a modal of possibility

Choose a verb from the box for each gap and put a modal of possibility before it.

Making a prediction more or less certain

3 Look at the examples showing ways of making statements about the future more or less certain. Then answer the questions below.

One extra word in each example changes how certain the statement is.

Place the phrases on the certainty line

Order the phrases from impossible to certain; the middle slot is already filled.

Choose the sentence part that makes sense

5 Change the sentences so they make sense by choosing the correct part of the sentence.

Read the whole sentence first: the second half tells you how sure the speaker is.

Four jobs of will: announce, predict, offer, decide

1 Look at the examples of how we use will. Then match them with their meanings 1–4.

Each sentence uses will for a different purpose: match it to the meaning that fits.

Complete with will and label the meaning

Add will or ’ll with a verb from the box, then tick the meaning from the activity before.

Present continuous or going to: which form?

3 Look at the examples of two more ways to talk about the future: the present continuous tense and going to (do). Then answer the questions.

Both forms talk about the future, but they signal different things: evidence, arrangement or intention.

Complete with going to or the present continuous

Ask first: is there evidence, an arrangement or only an intention?

Talk about your future plans

This is a speaking task: use the forms from this page and say how sure you are.