Grammarpredictions情态助动词从它们表示不同程度的推测可分为表示 “可能”的might , may , could , can ;表示“很有可能”的should , ought to , would , will;表示“肯定”的must
假如出现如下情景,甲说“门外有人敲门”,乙的回答可能是:对现在或客观事实的肯定推测一般用must, will, should, may(might) 或could ,语气依次递减
Helen _____go on the trip with us but she isn’t quite sure yet
(2005 安徽 ) A
shall B
must C
—I’ve taken someone else’s green sweater by mistake
—It ___ Harry’s
He always wears green
(2005 广东 ) A
has to be B
will be C
mustn’t be D
could be 3
That, I think, ____ be all that I want to say
could C
will D
ought to 分析: must 的语气最强,译为“肯定”、“准是”、“想必是”;should 的语气次之,译为“很可能”、“应该”,指按常理推测;may(might) 译为“也许、大概”,表示把握不大的推断,后面常跟but
could 的语气最弱,译为“也许”、“可能”
Don't phone them now—they'll be having dinner .现在不要给他们打电话——他们很可能在吃晚饭
It is unlikely that you will