Talk about what's possible: modal verbs of possibility.

"Might", "could", and "may" all express possibility or uncertainty — something that could happen, but you're not sure. "May" is also used for formal permission. None of these modals change form, and they're always followed by the base verb.

Why this matters This lesson connects directly to your progress: it covers might: uncertain possibility; could: possibility and suggestions; may: formal permission and possibility. Mastering this content lets you move forward confidently, and reinforces patterns you'll use again later. Take time to review every example before moving to the assessment — repetition is what actually locks knowledge in long-term.

01

What will you be able to do?

The goals of this lesson.

02

Before you start

You already know "can" for ability. This lesson adds "might", "could", and "may" — modal verbs for expressing how sure or unsure you are about something.

03

Might: uncertain possibility

"Might" expresses something that's possible but not certain — roughly a 40-50% chance in the speaker's mind.

FormExample
might + base verbIt might rain.

Examples

It might rain later.
Possibility
She might be at home now.
Possibility
We might go to the party tonight.
Possibility
They might not come to the meeting.
Negative possibility
He might know the answer.
Possibility
I might be late tomorrow.
Possibility

04

Could: possibility and suggestions

"Could" works very similarly to "might" for possibility, but it's also commonly used to make a gentle suggestion.

Examples

This could be a good opportunity.
Possibility (could)
The traffic could be really bad today.
Possibility (could)
It could take a few hours to finish.
Possibility (could)
She could be right about this.
Possibility (could)
This might not work, but let's try.
Uncertain outcome
I could be wrong, but I think it's true.
Uncertain outcome

05

May: formal permission and possibility

"May" is more formal than "can" for asking or giving permission, and it can also express possibility, similar to "might".

Examples

May I ask you a question?
Formal permission
You may leave the room now.
Formal permission
May I use your phone, please?
Formal permission
Students may leave early on Fridays.
Formal permission
It may rain this weekend.
Formal possibility
The results may change next week.
Formal possibility
We might need more time to decide.
Suggestion
You could try asking your manager.
Suggestion
Maybe you could call her instead of texting.
Suggestion
The plan might change if the weather is bad.
Uncertain future

06

Reading

Read the text and answer the questions. You can try as many times as you want.

The weather forecast is uncertain this week. It might rain on Wednesday, but it could also stay sunny all week. The event organizers say the outdoor concert may be moved indoors if the weather doesn't improve.

"You could bring an umbrella just in case," the organizer suggested. "May I ask if you have a backup plan?" a reporter asked. "We might announce a final decision tomorrow," the organizer replied. Attendees may receive a text message with updates.

1. What might happen on Wednesday?

2. What may happen to the concert if the weather doesn't improve?

3. What did the organizer suggest bringing?

4. When might they announce a final decision?

5. How may attendees receive updates?

💪 You can now speak with real nuance about possibility and permission. Review this lesson, or keep going to finish B1!

07

Fill in the Blanks

Usa las pistas para completar cada palabra en inglés. Sin calificar — repite las veces que quieras.

08

Key Points

The essentials of this lesson, summarized.

09

Vocabulary in This Lesson

Key terms to remember.

might
/maɪt/

used to say something is possible

podría, quizás
"It might rain later."
home
/hoʊm/

the place where someone lives

casa, hogar
"She might be at home now."
party
/ˈpɑːr.ti/

a social gathering, often to celebrate

fiesta
"We might go to the party tonight."
to come
/kʌm/

to move toward the speaker or a place

venir
"They might not come to the meeting."
know
/noʊ/

to have information about something

saber, conocer
"He might know the answer."
late
/leɪt/

after the expected time

tarde
"I might be late tomorrow."

10

Build the Sentence

Tap the words in the correct order to form the sentence. Ungraded — repeat as many times as you like.

11

Choose the Correct Verb

Tap the correct verb form to complete each sentence. The other options are conjugations from other tenses — on purpose, so you learn to tell them apart.

This might not but let's try

You could asking your manager

It could a few hours to finish

This could a good opportunity

Maybe you could her instead of texting

13

Assessment

You need at least 80% to unlock the next lesson. You can retake it as many times as you want — your best score is saved.

1. Choose the equivalent of: "This might not work, but let's try."

2. What does this mean: "It could take a few hours to finish."?

3. Select the correct match for: "You could try asking your manager."

4. What does this mean: "Maybe you could call her instead of texting."?

5. "Students may leave early on Fridays." — which one is correct?

6. What does this mean: "May I use your phone, please?"?

7. "This could be a good opportunity." — which one is correct?

8. Which option matches: "We might go to the party tonight."?

9. "I could be wrong, but I think it's true." — which one is correct?

10. Select the correct match for: "The plan might change if the weather is bad."

Review — Lesson 32 What matches: "She has finished her homework."?

Review — Lesson 32 What matches: "We haven't decided yet."?

14

Summary and next step

You now express uncertainty with might/could/may. Next lesson: the Second Conditional, for hypothetical situations.

🗣️ Practice out loud

Use the conversational tutor to practice this topic.

Open the tutor

15

Games

Practice this lesson's vocabulary with a word search and flashcards. Ungraded — play as many times as you like.

Word Search

Tap the first and last letter of a hidden word to find it. Los términos de varias palabras van sin espacios en el tablero (ej. "give up" aparece como GIVEUP).

Flashcards

Elige la respuesta correcta. Si aciertas, la tarjeta queda lista por hoy; si fallas, vuelve a aparecer pronto para reforzarla. Tu progreso se guarda en este dispositivo.

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