Prediction and probability

Prediction and Probability

Modals

A number of ways can be used to talk about prediction and probability

we can use

Conditional statements

Future perfect / Future continuous

Lexical expressions / phrases

Time phrases

Will / Will not

Must

Can

Should

May

Might

100 % certain

80 % certain

80 % certain

60 % certain

40 % certain

20 % certain

First conditional

If we use solar power, we will probably save money

Second conditional

If you tried harder, you would be able to...

Future perfect

By 2050, businessmen will be taking orders from the moon

Future continuos

By 2050, scientists will have discovered...

About to...

Going to...

Bound to...

Lexical expressions

Certain

Probable

Possible / Impossible

Lexical expressions

Unlikely

In my lifetime

Before long

In the near future

In the next year

Over the next decade

By this time next year

By the end of this century

Sometime in the next decade