Unit 22 Possibility, probability & deduction

Grammar
Channel

22.1 May, might and could

• We can use may, might or could to talk about present or future possibility.
e-Dictionary
You’d better take an umbrella with you. It may rain.
We might do some shopping this evening, but we
 Writing focus
haven’t decided yet. We often use these
We’d better be prepared for the worst. Anything structures to talk about
could happen. possibility, probability and
deduction in academic or
• Whether we use may, might or could depends on scientific writing. We can
how likely we think something is. Might is normally use them in:
a little less sure than may. We use might instead of • research articles
may in past indirect speech. Could is less sure than and reports
may or might. • journals
• May and might are more formal than can/could.
Tom: Where’s Fred?
Megan: He may/might/could be in the library.

• We can use be + -ing after may, might and could.

You’d better not call Belinda now. She may/might/could be having dinner.

• We can use a perfect infinitive (have + past participle) after may, might and could.
I think she may have taken her bag already.

Caution

As negatives we use may not (not usually contracted), might not (contraction = mightn’t)

and could not (contraction = couldn’t).
7 James mayn’t be at home.
✓ It’s Sunday. James may not be at home.

22.2 Can/Could
• We can use can/could to say that something sometimes happens or is generally
possible, or that someone is able to do something.
In Hong Kong, temperatures can reach 35ºC in summer.
She can speak Putonghua.

• We can use could to talk about the past.

He travelled a lot when he was younger. He could get restless
after staying in one place for too long.

• We can use may/might/could (but not can) to indicate the chances of something
happening.
We may/might/could go to Beijing at Easter.

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22.3 May/Might/Could + have + past participle

• We can use the structure may/might/could + have + past participle to express
possibility in the past.
Hayley didn’t call last night. She may/might have forgotten to.
I left them a note before leaving, but they may/might not have noticed it.
A: I can’t find my umbrella.
B: You could/may/might have left it on the bus.

Caution

7 S he might forget to bring her homework to class yesterday.

• We can also use could/might + have + past participle (but not may) to say that
something was possible in the past but did not happen.
A: I forgot to lock the door when I left.
B: You were lucky. Someone could/might have broken into your house.
You shouldn’t have left your homework on the table. Your baby brother
might have drawn on it.

22.4 Should and ought to

• We can also use should and ought to to talk about possibilities when we have strong
reason to believe or expect that something is likely to happen.
He seldom goes out in the evenings. He should be home now.
They sit together in class. They ought to know each other well.

• We use should/ought to + have + past participle to talk about what seems likely to
have happened in the past.
They left an hour ago. They should have got home by now.
You were at the swimming gala yesterday. You ought to have seen
Jodie and her sister. They were there, too.

22.5 Using must and can’t to make deductions

• We use must when we feel very sure that something is true.
You have lived here for years. You must know the neighbourhood very well.
You’ve been working all day. You must be exhausted.

• The negative of must when making deductions is can’t.

You’ve just had lunch. You can’t be hungry already.

His father can’t have a car. They always use public transport.

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• After must and can’t, we can use be + -ing.

You can’t be serious. You must be joking.
It’s not eleven yet. They can’t be having lunch yet.

• For deductions about the past, we use must/can’t have + past participle.
The ground is wet. It must have rained last night.
The ground is dry. It can’t have rained last night.

Grammar Practice
A Complete the sentences using your own words. The first one has been done for you as an example.

1 She’s no longer a child. She should know how to take care of

herself.

2 I wonder where Tom is. He should here by now.

3 It’s Monday. They ought to from their trip to Macau.

4 She ought to all her exams. She’s revised so hard for them.

5 A: What’s your brother doing in his room?

B:  He must be a new TV series. He has just subscribed

to a streaming service.

6 I wonder what’s keeping them. They should by now.

7 A: Chris said he stayed at home yesterday evening.

B: He couldn’t at home. I called at his flat, but nobody

answered the door.

8 You should an email from me by lunchtime.

9 ‘How long will it take me to get to the ferry pier?’ ‘It shouldn’t
you long. It isn’t very far from here.’

10 A: Who do you think Linda’s waiting for? Derek?

B: She can’t Derek. He’s out of town.

11 Her flight has been delayed. It should half an hour ago.

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12 A: Somebody’s left their assignment here.

B: It must Sara. She was here a few minutes ago, looking for hers.

13 A: Jack saw you at the cinema last night.

B: He couldn’t me there. I was at home last night. He must

me for somebody else.

14 A: Is Ron going to the concert alone?

B: He bought two tickets, so he couldn’t by himself, could he?

B The underlined verbs in some of the sentences are not in the correct form. Write the correct forms
in the spaces provided. If there is no mistake, put a tick (✓) in the space. The first two have been
done for you as examples.

have been
1 It couldn’t be Mr Chan that you saw driving the (1)

car. He doesn’t know how to drive.

✓
2 I think I’ll stay at home for now. Lucy might call (2)

today.

3 I haven’t seen your brother for years. He must be (3)

finished school by now.

4 I called the phone company, but they said the number (4)

wasn’t registered. He must change his number.

5 This train is always on time. It will have been here (5)

in a minute.

6 Hurry up, Tom. Fred will think we’re not coming! (6)

7 If it hadn’t been for her teachers, Sue might not (7)

apply for university.

8 My brother is out, but he should have been home (8)

for dinner. Why not call again after seven?

9 He has experience and is well qualified. He ought (9)

to have no problems finding a job.

10 You have travelled a lot. You must be to many (10) Extra Practice

fascinating places.
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Language Practice
C Conversation
Fill in each blank in the conversation with NO MORE THAN FOUR suitable words. The first one has
been done for you as an example.

H eavy rain lashed Hong Kong last night, resulting in 78 reports of flooding and
21 landslides. In Yuen Long, a terrified woman and her dog had to be rescued
by firefighters after a wall of her house collapsed. In Tsz Wan Shan, five people were
evacuated after mud and rocks slid down a slope behind the Tsz Chung Estate.

This morning, the Observatory forecast that an active southwesterly airstream would
continue to bring rainy weather to the South China Coast in the coming week.

will/could
Cora The rain is so heavy! I suppose it (1) continue (1)

for another day or two.

Derek At least! The weather forecast said that the rainy
weather (2) last for a week because of the (2)

airstream.

Cora That’s annoying! Chris and I had planned to go to

Repulse Bay for some sunbathing this weekend,
but now we will (3) cancel that. I (4) just stay (3)

at home and catch up on my reading. (4)

Derek No, you (5) stay cooped up in your room. You (5)

(6) go to Amy’s flat downstairs. As for me, I (6)

(7) probably stay at home and sleep all day. (7)

Cora Derek, you really (8) be so unhappy. You (9) (8)

always go and see your girlfriend. She only lives a (9)

block away from your flat.

Derek You (10) be kidding … We had a serious fight (10)

yesterday and she is refusing (11) my calls and (11)

messages.
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Cora What have you done, Derek? She (12) be really (12)

mad at you!

Derek Look, I really don’t want to talk about it right

now. (13) change the subject. Angel called to tell (13)

me that she and her family had a narrow escape

last night.

Cora Really? What happened?

Derek She said that during last night’s downpour, mud

and rocks slid down a slope behind her village.
They (14) buried if the firefighters hadn’t come (14)

to rescue them.

Cora Were they all right? They (15) terrified. (15)

Derek Fortunately, nobody was injured, but everyone in

the village had to be evacuated.

Cora Do Angel and her family have somewhere to stay?

Derek Angel told me they had moved into her uncle’s

place temporarily. I guess they (16) be settled in (16)

by now. The mud and rocks are being removed

and (17) be gone in a few days. (17)

D Conversation
Complete the conversation by choosing the correct answers. The first one has been done for you
as an example.

20 Jan

Emma I’ve called David a few times but no one answered.

Colin He (1) ( could have been / could be / would be / will be ) out of town. I remember him
saying that he (2) ( might go / may have gone / may not have gone / might not go ) on
a trip this month, but he (3) ( didn’t book / hasn’t booked / hadn’t booked / had booked )
anything at that time.

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Did he? I didn’t know that. I (4) ( needn’t know / needn’t have known / need to know /
Emma 
know ) if he wants to come to my birthday dinner so that I can confirm with the
restaurant how many guests (5) ( are there / would be there / will there be / there will be ).

Colin I guess one or two extra guests (6) ( shouldn’t be / should be / should have been /
shouldn’t have been ) a problem for them. Anyway he (7) ( shouldn’t be / should be /
should have been / shouldn’t have been ) back soon because Daniel’s wedding is next
Friday and we are the groomsmen.

Emma Oh yes. I’d forgotten about Daniel’s wedding. Perhaps I’ll just tell the restaurant
there (8) ( should be / must be / may be / might have been ) one or two extra guests,
and call David again later. Honestly, I can’t believe he still doesn’t have a mobile
phone. Otherwise I (9) ( may / might / can / could ) text him right now.

Colin Trust me. Even if he had a mobile phone, he (10) ( won’t take / wouldn’t take /
wouldn’t have taken / couldn’t take ) it with him.

Emma You’re right.

28 Jan

Emma I still can’t reach David.

Colin He (11) ( should be / can’t be / may be / could be ) back by now. Tomorrow is Daniel’s
wedding.

Emma Speak of the devil! David’s calling … Hello, David! Where have you been? I
(12) ( call / called / will call / have been calling ) you a few times but no one answered.
We thought you (13) ( may be / might be / can be / will be ) out of town.

David Hi, Emma. I’m sorry. I went to Europe for two weeks and just got back yesterday.

Emma Europe? Wow! It (14) ( was / has been / must be / must have been ) cold there.

David Yes, it was, especially in Finland. I (15) ( wouldn’t brave / might not brave / wouldn’t
have braved / won’t have braved ) the cold if it hadn’t been for the Northern Lights,
which was really beautiful.

Emma Glad to hear that. Did you only go to Finland?

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David No, I also went to the UK, France and the Netherlands. I (16) ( could have stopped /
could stop / should have stopped / must stop ) in Belgium en route from Amsterdam
to Paris but I didn’t. I (17) ( go / may go / may not go / would not go ) there on my
next visit.

Emma Wow, you had a wonderful time, (18) ( do you / haven’t you / hadn’t you / didn’t you )?

David I did. The weather was nice throughout my trip. In fact, it (19) ( may not be / might
not be / shouldn’t have been / couldn’t have been ) better. I visited a lot of beautiful
places and enjoyed the local food.

Emma Fabulous. Hey, will you join us for my birthday dinner next Sunday? It’s being
held at Jamie’s Kitchen. Amy and Oscar, Colin and I, and Woody’s family will be
there.

David Sure. Please count me in. Emily (20) ( may be interested / may interest / might have
been interested / may have been interested ) in joining us as well. I remember her
telling me that she wanted to try that restaurant. Can I bring her along? Of
course, I’ll have to check if she’s available that day.

Emma No problem – but please let me know as soon as possible, as I will need to tell
the restaurant about it.

David Will do.

E Short story
Complete the short story using the words given in brackets to help you. The first one has been
done for you as an example.

‘Did you notice? Emily wasn’t in science class.’ I was speaking to my friend Chris as we

walked between classes. ‘She (1) should have been (be) there. She’s been absent

all week now. It’s very unlike her. Is she sick or something?’

‘She (2) (move) to another school,’ Chris replied.

‘You (3) (joke). How would that be possible? She (4)

(leave) without telling us.’

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‘Why would she tell us? Anyway, her social media accounts can’t be accessed either. She

(5) (delete or deactivate) them, I guess.’

‘Now I remember,’ I said. ‘She tried to talk to me last week about some big new project

she’s working on. It was connected to the spring drama production or something. I

(6) (listen) more closely …’

‘Well, anyway, we probably (7) (hurry),’ Chris said. ‘History

class starts in two minutes and we (8) (be) late!’

We slid into our seats just in time. Mrs Smith rose from her desk and stood at the front of the

classroom. ‘Before we get started, some of you (9) (notice) that

one of your classmates is missing today. In fact, she (10) (return)

to us for a long time, if ever. Some of you are probably wondering what’s happened to Emily.

Well, there (11) (be) a formal announcement soon – Friday I

think – but in the meantime I can tell you –’

Just then Sophie, who was sitting in front of me, interrupted. ‘Hey, isn’t it Emily?’ She was

looking at a photo on her phone. Steve leaned over to look. ‘On a movie set with a bunch of

famous actors?’ ‘No way, it (12) (be).’ Daniel chimed in. ‘But

hold on … that (13) (actually/be) her. In fact, I think it is.’

‘Quiet everyone! Sophie, you aren’t supposed to use your phone during class,’ Mrs Smith

said. However, the whole class (14) (be) so excited that no one

listened, so once again she said, ‘QUIET!’

As we were settling back into our seats, Mrs Smith continued, ‘Yes, as Daniel has discovered,

Emily has been cast in an upcoming superhero movie. They are currently filming.’

I was shocked. Chris patted me consolingly on the back. ‘You (15)

(ignore) Emily, man. You (16) (be) friends with a celebrity!’

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Paper 2 Paper 3

You may be asked to write a proposal in the HKDSE English Language Exam Paper 2 or Paper
3. A proposal aims to raise an issue/a problem, offer solutions and evaluate the suggestions
made in detail. It usually ends with a polite request for approval.
We can use modal verbs of possibility, probability and deduction to talk about the
following in a proposal:
• what could be done
• how and when the suggestions/plans could be carried out
• the positive effects and benefits the suggestions/plans would bring

F Proposal
Complete the proposal by choosing appropriate expressions from the list below (A-K). You can use
each expression ONCE only. The first one has been done for you as an example.

A could bring F could be donated

B should be run G could have been a wider variety of activities

C could definitely help H will only need to offer

meet this goal
I could also hire freelance instructors
D ought to provide
J could look for qualified instructors
E may sell it
K it is suggested that participants put on a play

Proposal for New Summer Courses

at Tai Po Youth Centre

We use the
present simple
Introduction tense to talk
about the
purpose of a
proposal.
According to last year’s summer course evaluation report, our members Refer to Unit 1
G for more
thought there (1) . This proposal aims to suggest new courses information
about the
that could be held and explain the benefits that they (2) . present tenses.

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We use the past

simple tense to
describe survey English Drama Course
results, if they are
mentioned, as the
survey will have
taken place in the As shown in last year’s member survey, English Drama was the most popular
past. Refer to Unit
1 for more option among potential new courses. We (3) from ABC Productions,
information about
the past tenses. a well-known drama company operating in the local community. We
(4) , but they would have to have experience in performing and
conducting drama workshops for primary and secondary students. At the end of
the course, (5) in our community centre for children from the
neighbourhood. This way, participants would have an opportunity to apply what
they have learnt on stage. This would also give the audience more exposure to
English outside school.

Soap Making Course

Although the course only ranked at five in last year’s survey, we strongly believe
that it (6) because of its cost-effectiveness and potential benefits to
participants and the environment. Earth Pals invited us to join their soap
recycling scheme last month. If we cooperate with them, they will be responsible
for providing instructors and lightly used soap, and we (7) a venue
and recruit members. Some of the soap we make (8) to people living
in poor regions to help improve sanitation, so this course could also be
charitable. As for the rest of the soap, we (9) at our annual
fundraising bazaar.

We use the
structure it is our
(sincere) hope that Conclusion
to make a polite
request for
approval in a Tai Po is a district with a large number of young people. We (10) a
proposal. It sounds
impersonal and range of courses for them to learn while contributing to the community. The
formal. Note that
the structure is
followed by a noun
courses mentioned above (11) and it is our sincere hope that they
clause. Refer to
Unit 12 for more will be approved.
information about
noun clauses.

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