English grammar: Modal verbs for possibility

What this grammar point covers

Modal verbs for possibility are special verbs in English, like 'might', 'may', and 'could', that we use to talk about things that are possible but not certain.

When to use it

Use these modal verbs when you want to say that something is possible, but you are not sure. For example, when you guess, or talk about something that can happen.

Key forms

• might + base verb (e.g. might come)
• may + base verb (e.g. may arrive)
• could + base verb (e.g. could happen)

Examples

Tips

• Always use the base form of the verb after 'might', 'may', and 'could'.
• Do not use 'to' after these modal verbs (say 'may go', not 'may to go').
• For negatives, add 'not' after the modal verb (e.g. 'might not', 'may not').