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Lesson Plan May 17, 2024

Topic: Modal Verbs 03 - Possibility & Expectation

We use may, could, might, can’t and must to talk about things that are possible or certain

Section A - must

Is used to say that you are certain that something is true.

• You haven’t eaten all day. You must be hungry.

• You must be joking if you expect me to go out in the rain to get you a beer.

Section B - can’t

Is used to say that you are certain that something is not true.

• A: Is Anne at home?
  B: No, she can’t be at home. She’s working today.

• They can’t have the same exam results.

Section C - could / may / may not

Is used to say that it is possible that something is true or not true.

• He may be coming for dinner, but I am not sure.

• A: Who’s that at the door?
  B: It could be the delivery person.

Section D - might / might not

Is used to say that it is possible, but not very likely, that something is true or not true

• You might like to know that we are having a meeting tomorrow evening.

• It might not be a good idea to call John. He usually prefers getting a text message.

Section E - should / shouldn’t

Is used to say that we expect or don’t expect something to happen or to be differnt

• The price of this should be ¥1000, not ¥2000.

• If we leave now, we should get there on time.

Short Conversation

A: Where is David?
B: He should be at work.
A: He can’t be at work. He has a day off today.
B: Is that so? He might be at home then.

Lesson Notes

• I bought a bird house just for decoration, I never thought birds would use it.

• Do you feed the birds?

• Do you give the birds food?

• I’m going out birdwatching in the park today.

Vocabulary

• Bird house; a decorative or functional house for birds to build a nest inside.

• Feed; (verb) to give food to someone or something

• Feed; (compound noun); food for domestic animals; bird feed, cow feed, pig feed etc

• Birdwatching; (uncountable noun) observing birds in their natural habitat as a hobby

• Birdwatcher; (noun) a person who does birdwatching as a hobby

Modal Verbs 03

• Our dinner bill shouldn't be so expensive. I think there is a mistake.

• The train should be moving by now, why are we just sitting here?

• I shouldn't have eaten so much at dinner. I feel sick to my stomach.

• My teacher says I must rewrite my report. The report shouldn't have all these spelling mistakes.

• Everyone should (know / learn / practice) how to cook three different dishes.

• We should (hurry / go / leave) or we will miss our train.

In the following sentences, the hint at which modal verbs to use has been highlighted.

• There is a chance that Jean is at home.

• Jean (might / may / could) be at home.

• I expect that it won't be hard to finish this report on time.

• Finishing this report shouldn’t be hard to do on time.

• It is possible that Patrick isn't playing soccer with his friends.

• Patrick (might / may) not be playing soccer with his friends.

• It is possible that the criminal is dangerous.

• The criminal (might / may / could) be dangerous.

• Alison doesn’t speak Italian. (This is unexpected because she grew up in Italy)

• Alison should speak Italian.

• I don’t know the score, but I am certain Spain is winning the match.

• I don’t know the score, but Spain must be winning the match.

• I don’t expect that we will have any problems on our trip.

• We shouldn’t have any problems on our trip.

• You can ask Alan, but it’s possible that he doesn’t know.

• You can ask Alan, but he (might / may) not know.

• It’s impossible that Shenzhen is in Canada. It sounds more like a Chinese city.

• Shenzhen can’t be in Canada. It sounds more like a Chinese city.