Future Possibility There are several modal verbs used to show possibility. They are Might, May, and Could. All of these are different ways to say maybe. For example: If you want to go on vacation, but you are so busy at work that you’re not sure if I can go. Someone asks you about your plans. You could answer in a few different ways: “I may go on vacation, but I’m not sure if I will have time.” “I might go, but I’m just too busy to commit.” “I could go if I wasn’t so busy!” May, might, and could have very subtle differences in the amount of possibility they represent. May = a possibility (~50%) Might = a small possibility (~30%) Could = a possibility, a choice Note: Could = past of can, but here, possible in present and future.
STRUCTURE Modal Verb + Base Verb
May: shows possibility in the present or the future. Present: Future:
Where are my keys? They may be in the car. I may go to the party tonight.
May is formal and is often found in writing. Side effects of this medication may include an upset stomach or fever.
Might: shows possibility in the present or future. Where are my keys? They might be in the car.
I might go to the party tonight.
Might is less formal than may, and is more common in conversation.
Could: shows that something is possible in the present or future. Present: Future:
Where are my keys? They could be in the car. We could go to the party tonight.
Could show options or possibility. If I won the lottery I could buy a house. I could also buy a car. Must: We use must when we feel sure that something is true because there’s very strong evidence. He must live near here because he comes to work on foot. We don’t know where he lives but we’re sure it’s not far away. Come inside and get warm – you must be freezing out there. You’re a zookeeper? That must be very interesting. Notice that must is followed by an infinitive without ‘to’.
Extreme and normal Adjectives Many adjectives can be modified using other words to strengthen or weaken their meaning. These are called base adjectives.
She feels pretty bad all the time.
It was a bit hard to get to a swimming pool.
That’s a very good idea.
Other adjectives cannot be modified with these words because they already have an extreme meaning. However, they can be emphasized using other words. These are called extreme adjectives.
He was completely soaked and absolutely freezing after the accident. He was very soaked and quite freezing after the accident.
Base Adjectives
Strong Adjectives
beautiful
gorgeous
ugly
awful
dirty
filthy
good
superb, great, fantastic
bad
terrible
happy
thrilled
angry
furious
hungry
starving
tired
exhausted
funny
hilarious
big
huge, enormous
small
tiny
fat
obese
scared
terrified
cold
freezing
hot
boiling
The use of very, absolutely and really with base and strong adjectives Very, absolutely and really are used differently according whether the adjective is a base or a strong one: very absolutely really Base adjectives Extreme adjectives
Examples: He was very happy; he was absolutely thrilled. He was really happy / thrilled.
Intensifiers and Qualifiers Intensifying adverbs Son adverbs que amplĂan o enfatizan el significado de una palabra o frase. Examples: o I strongly disagree. o It's extremely hot in Africa. o You play soccer very well. No se utilizan Intensifying adverbs con normal adjectives
Intensifiers Totally Completely Absolutely
Extreme adjectives Fantastic, wonderful, great Awful, dreadful, terrible Gorgeous, beautiful Fascinating Thrilled, ecstatic Horrifying, terrifying
Qualifying adverbs Son adverbs que aumentan o disminuyen el significado de la palabra que modifican. Examples: o This cheesecake is really good. o I ran down the stairs rather quickly. No se utilizan Qualifying adverbs con extreme adjectives.
Qualifiers Really Fairly Kind of Very Sort of Rather
Normal adjectives Good Bad Pretty Interesting Happy Scary