Teaching “Future possibilities: may, might, and Could”
If we want to
talk about future possibilities
we always have to add in the sentence “may, might, and could” between the
subject and the verb (the base form); but if we want to speak in formal way we
have to use in the conversation “may”, but if we want to speak in informal way
we have to use “might” or “could”.
Examples:
v The
weather may be windy later. Formal
sentence
v It
might get cold tonight.
Informal sentence
v It
could rain tomorrow.
Informal sentence
It is very
important to distinguish “may be” with “maybe”; the first one is a modal with
the verb “be” and the second one is not a modal, it is an adverb, but it always
is the first word in a sentence.
Examples:
v He
may be late today.
v Maybe
he’ll take the train. NOT: He
maybe takes the train.
In negative
form we add NOT after “may”, and “might” only to express the idea that
something will not happen; but we must not contract both of them.
Examples:
v There
are a lot of clouds, but it might not rain.
v There
are a lot of clouds, but it may not rain.
v NOT:
There are a lot of clouds, but it mayn’t rain.
In case of
“could” is the same, but we have to use “couldn’t” to express the idea that
something is not possible.
Example:
v She
couldn’t carry that. It is too heavy.
Teaching “Future possibilities: may, might, and could” to beginners
If the
students that are going to be taught are children, teachers have to teach them
with the most basic strategies that are:
v Explaining
the rules with their examples
v Making
them to participate
v Giving
them some activities about it
But they like
colors and drawings so teachers have to explain this topic with beautiful
presentations, in the blackboard or in the computer.
In case of
teenagers and adults, as students, teachers have to use the same strategies,
but they have to make students to read the rules and try to explain them
without insecurity and giving students some websites about this topic so they
could practice more and learn better.
Teaching “Future possibilities: may, might, and could” to intermediate
In this level
must of students are teenagers or adults, teachers have to teach them this
topic with the same strategies like in beginners level, but is not necessary
that teachers make colorful presentations with illustrations, and teachers have
to give students websites, but in intermediate level because most of teenagers
and adults like computers and other kind of devices so they will learn very
well.
Teaching “Future possibilities: may, might, and could” to advanced
In this level
teachers must lend their students, teenagers or adults, to try to explain this
topic reading the grammar rules and explaining at the same time, if they don’t
understand some grammar rules the teacher must explain that grammar rules with
other examples, so students will understand better, and is necessary the
websites of advance level so they can practice more.
Bibliography:
Focus on
Grammar 3
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