L4 Prediction-and-Expectation 7

Prediction and Expectation
What is a modal verb?

A modal verb is a type of verb that contextually indicates a modality. That means it gives extra information
depending on the situation. It helps us to express our attitudes, obligations, and intentions. We can talk about
likelihood and ability. We can give ask for permission and give advice.
What makes modal verbs special?

1. First, modal verbs add meaning to another verb. You do not usually use a modal verb by itself unless the
main verb is implied or understood.
Will Leo come to the party?
Yes, he will. (the “come” is implied or understood)
2. Second, modal verbs do not change form for first, second, or third person.
Leo says that he might come to the party.
Leo and Lucas say that they might come to the party.
In the first sentence, Leo says …. he might … “Leo” requires a verb in the third person singular; in the present
tense this means you add -s to the end. However, you do not do this with modal verbs. Instead, you say “he
might” (not he mights).
3. Third, when you make a question, you start with the modal, just as we do with do/does, am/is/are,
has/have.
Can Leo and Lucas bring ice with them?
Finally, modal verbs are followed by the infinitive, or base form, of the other verb without the “to”.
Leo and Lucas may to arrive late, but they said that they would to be happy to bring the ice.
Meaning Modal Verbs Example
Benny will wash the dishes after dinner. (100%

certain)
Benny should wash the dishes after dinner.
Certainty, probability, (90% expectation)
will, should, may, might, could
and possibility Benny may/might wash the dishes after dinner.
(50%/50%)
Benny could wash the dishes after dinner.
(maybe 25% likely)
Tomorrow, I will feel better.

It is going to rain tomorrow.
The test is supposed to be easy.
prediction, intention, will, is going to, is supposed
Marjorie should be home after 3pm.
and expectation to, should, ought to, must
They ought to be finished with work by now.
This old computer must not be worth much
money today.
How to Talk about Prediction?
The verb 'predict' means to guess future events in the present time by using some 'expressions' or 'words'
like modals and semi-modals. Predictions might become true over time and sometimes they cannot happen. In this
lesson, we will learn how to talk about predicting something. Here are all the verbs that can represent
predictions on the list: will, would, should, be going to
Will
We can use the modal verb 'will' to talk about almost every future prediction.
Will and Would: Structure

'Will' and 'would' both are modal verbs that do not change form with all the pronouns and subjects. And to make
them 'negative,' we add the term 'not' directly to them.
I won't pass the test. (will not = won't)
I would not stay for several weeks in Siargao. (would not = wouldn't)
When to use WILL

In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit connection to the present, use WILL:
1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions)
This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a spontaneous way.
 I will buy one for you too.
 I think I will try one of those. (I just decided this right now)
2. When we think or believe something about the future. (Prediction)
 My team will not win the league this season.
 I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.
Note: You can use both Will and Going to for making future predictions.
3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.
 I will give you a discount if you buy it right now.
 I promise I will behave next time.
 I will take you to the movies if you would like.
4. You use WON'T when someone refuses to do something.
 I told him to take out the trash but he won't do it.
 My cousins won't listen to anything I say.
 My car won't start.
Be Going to
The expression 'be going to' is used in both present and past tenses to predict things that we think are true (in the
present) or when we say they might have been true (in the past).
She is going to have a slumber party.
I think they were going to marry.
Using Be Going to in the Past

We can use the past tense of the verb be in the structure of the expression 'be going to' to refer to a prediction in
a past period of time. Check out the examples.
She was going to buy ginger for the arroz caldo.
They were going to the big party of his brother.
When to use GOING TO

The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to indicate the future but with some type of connection to the
present. We use it in the following situations:
1. When we have already decided or we INTEND to do something in the future. (Prior Plan)
The decision has been made before the moment of speaking.
 They are going to retire to the beach - in fact they have already bought a little beach house.
 I am going to accept the offer.
2. When there are definite signs that something is going to happen. (Evidence)
Something is likely to happen based on the evidence or experience you have.
 I think it is going to rain - I just felt a drop.
 I do not feel well. I think I am going to throw up. (throw up = vomit)
3. When something is about to happen:

 Get back! The bomb is going to explode.
If someone asks: "Are you busy this evening?"

If I respond: "Yes, I'm going to go to the movies." I use going to because it is a plan I made earlier (before I was
asked the question). - In this case we cannot use Will.
If I haven't made plans, then you can say either: "I will probably watch TV." OR "I'm probably going to watch
TV."
Both will and going to are possible in this situation because we are predicting what will happen (since we
haven't made any plans).
Should
You can use the modal verb should to talk about expectations or predictions. Using should to talk about prediction is
usually based on the evidence or events that are seen. Remember, should is a modal verb, so, you have to use a
bare infinitive after it.
It should be raining. The weather is really cold.
You should be the bride's father, right?
Shall is often used as a first person substitute for will. So, shall also presents the meaning of prediction found
with will.
I shall have finished the homework before dinner.
Must is used to talk about something that is very likely to happen. However, differing from the use
of will, would and shall, must is usually used to express a logical prediction or conclusion based on a past or
present event.
The light is on, so someone must be using the room.
The speaker makes a logical prediction/conclusion based on what he or she sees.
Modals of Lost Opportunities”

The modal verbs could have, would have and should have are past tense modals that are useful for expressing
present feelings about a past decision (or other action). They are sometimes called “modals of lost opportunities.”
They work like a grammatical time machine.
The simple past just tells what happened. Past modals tell what could have, would have, and should
have happened. To form these past modals, use could, would, or should followed by have, followed by a past
participle verb. Use have for all pronouns; never use has or had to form a past modal. Here are some examples:
She could have gone to any college she wanted to.

I would have gone to the party, but I was tired.
He should have told the truth about what he saw.
Each of these modals has a slightly different meaning.

Could have
Could have means that something was possible in the past, but it did not happen.
I could have gone directly to college, but I decided to travel for a year.
Read the lyrics of this song by 1980s teen pop star Tiffany. The singer is thinking about past possibilities with her
lost love.
Could have been so beautiful
Could have been so right
Could have been my lover
Every day of my life
To form the negative with these modals, use not between could and have. Could not have means that something
was impossible in the past. For example:
She could not have been on that flight because I just saw her at work.
Lawyers often use could not have to argue for a client’s innocence.
A popular compliment in English is, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” You can say this when you like the
way somebody said something. It is a way to show strong agreement.
Would have
Would have is a bit more difficult because it has two common structures. The first is with but. I would have A, but I
had to B. Use this structure to show that you wanted to do something in the past, but you could not.
I would have called, but there was no phone service.
I would have loaned you the money, but I didn’t have any.
Would have also forms the result clause of a past unreal conditional. For example:
If I had known they were vegetarians, I would have made a salad.
You can always reverse conditional sentences. If would have comes first, there is no comma.
I would have made a salad if I had known they were vegetarians.
Usually, would have suggests a bad feeling about the past.
Should have
Should have means that something did not happen, but we wish it had happened. We use should have to talk
about past mistakes. A worried mother might say:
“I was so worried about you. You should have called!”
Should have is common in apologies. For example:

I’m sorry that I’m late for work. I should have woken up earlier.
Should have can be used in a light-hearted way. In this song, the singer imagines how exciting his life would be if
he had chosen to be a cowboy.
I should have been a cowboy.
I should have learned to rope and ride
Wearing my six-shooter,
Riding my pony on a cattle drive.
References
https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/coalescence/chapter/grammar-modal-verbs/
https://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Future_Will_vs_Going.htm
https://langeek.co/en/grammar/course/518/talking-about-prediction
http://www.jgypk.hu/mentorhalo/tananyag/Angol_nyelvhasznlat_tantknak_s_vodapedaggusoknak/514_modals_to_express_predictions_be_going_to_will.
https://www.i-learner.com.hk/grammar/upload/555/snack.htm
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-could-have-should-have-would-have/3391128.html

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Prediction and Expectation

What is a modal verb?

What makes modal verbs special?

Meaning Modal Verbs Example

Benny will wash the dishes after dinner. (100%

Tomorrow, I will feel better.

How to Talk about Prediction?

Will and Would: Structure

When to use WILL

Using Be Going to in the Past

When to use GOING TO

3. When something is about to happen:

If someone asks: "Are you busy this evening?"

Modals of Lost Opportunities”

She could have gone to any college she wanted to.

Each of these modals has a slightly different meaning.

Should have is common in apologies. For example:

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