Might, May, Will probably (Modals)

Sometimes we talk about the future without being sure.
This lesson shows how to express different levels of possibility.

1. Talking About Uncertain Futures

We use modal verbs to show how likely something is.

Examples:

• “It might rain later.”
• “She may be late.”
• “He will probably call tonight.”

2. Using Might, May, and Could

Might and may show possibility and uncertainty.

Key points:

• Might often suggests a slightly lower probability than may, but in most cases they are interchangeable.
• Both may and might are used when we are not sure about the outcome.

Examples:

• “I might go out tonight.”
• “She may come to the meeting.”
• “They might travel next month.”
• “He may not agree with the plan.”
• “I might see you at the party.”

Could can also express a possible future event or one possible explanation:

• “The train could be late because of the snow.”
• “We could have a storm tonight.”

Note: “May” is slightly more formal than “might” and is often used in written English. In many possibility statements, may, might, and could overlap.

Negative possibility

May not and might not both mean that something is possibly not true or possibly will not happen. May not can sound slightly more formal, while might not can sound a little more tentative.

• “The shop may not be open.”
• “The shop might not be open.”

Be careful with can’t/couldn’t: they often express impossibility or inability, not merely a negative possibility. Compare “She might not come” (perhaps she will not come) with “She can’t come” (she is unable or unavailable).

3. Using Will Probably

Will probably is used when the speaker expects something to happen — it is more certain than may/might, but still not 100%.

Word order: will probably + verb is most common. probably will + verb is also possible (often for emphasis).

Examples:

• “He will probably pass the exam.”
• “They will probably arrive late.”
• “I will probably finish my homework tonight.”
• “The team will probably win the match.”

She will probably be late. / She probably will be late.

Negative: “She probably won’t come.” (avoid using won’t probably come.)

4. Comparing Levels of Certainty

Notice how certainty increases.

In many everyday situations, may and might have the same meaning; context is more important than the exact word.

Examples:

• She might call. → Less certain
• She may call. → Slightly more formal, uncertain
• She will probably call. → More certain, speaker expects it to happen

5. Possibility About the Past

Use may / might / could + have + past participle when you are not sure what happened in the past.

• “Lena may have missed the bus.”
• “They might have taken the wrong road.”
• “He could have left his phone at work.”
• “Maya might not have seen your message.”

Here, could have means that something was a possible explanation. In other contexts, it can describe an opportunity that was not used: “I could have gone, but I stayed home.”

6. Questions About Possibility

Direct modal questions are possible, although might can sound formal:

• “Could the train be late?”
• “Might the meeting finish early?”

In everyday conversation, we often ask Do you think … will …? instead of putting probably in a direct question:

• “Do you think she will call tonight?”
• “Are they likely to arrive before eight?”

7. Common Mistake to Avoid

Do not add to after modals.

Examples:

• “She might to come.” (Incorrect)
• “She might come.” (Correct)

After a modal, use the base verb. In a past possibility, use modal + have + past participle.

8. Key Takeaway

• Might / may / could → uncertain possibility.
• Will probably → expected but not certain.
• Might / may / could have + past participle → uncertainty about the past.