Degrees of certainty

The most
definite
degree of
certainty can
be expressed
with will and
won't,
followed by
must and
can't/couldn'
t, should and
shouldn't,
may and
may not, and
might/could
and
mightn't,
which
express the
least definite
degree of
certainty.

Modal

Use

Examples

Present/Futu
re
When we
believe that a
future state or
event is
certain to
occur.

Present/Futu
re
When we
deduce that a
future state or
event is the
most logical or
rational
outcome.

WILL

WOULD

1. For things that we

decide to do now.
(Rapid Decisions)
2. When we think or
believe
something
about
the
future.
(Prediction)
3. To make an offer, a
promise or a threat.
4. For a habit that is a
predictable behavior.
5. You use WON'T when
someone refuses to
do something. (Ltda,
Woodward
English,
2016)

1. Used as a polite
invitation or to offer.
2. Describe a prediction
(hypothetical
situations).
3. To not sound impolite
when
disagreeing
with someone.
4. To
describe
past
habits.
5. We use would when
we are talking about
the past but we want
to
talk
about
something which was
in the future at that
time (in the past).
6. Wouldn't: To describe
a past unwillingness
(refusal).
(Ltda,
Woodward
English,
2016)

I will call to
your dad for
you.
I think you
will find the
movie
interesting.
I will walk
with you to
work if you
want.
Joselin
and
Mario will fall
asleep
as
soon as she
is put into
bed.
I won't listen
to anything
you say.
I would be
happy
to
help you with
preparation
for
your
graduation.
Nobody
would
believe me if
I told them I
had seen a
UFO.
We wouldn't
agree
with
that.
When I was
at school I
would get up
because my
school
was
far.
My
mom
promised she
would send a
postcard
from
Ambato.
Her
niece
wouldn't eat

her food.

Present/Past

HAVE
TO

Have / Has to expresses

general obligations. When
we are talking about
another person's obligation
we use have to, too. We use
have to when the obligation
comes from outside.
(GrammarBank.com, 2016)

My dad has
to do a quiz.
She doesn't
have to do
her
homework.
Do you have
to take his
medicine?

Bibliographic:
GrammarBank.com. (12 de enero de 2016). Grammar bank. Obtenido de
http://www.grammarbank.com/must-have-has-to.html
Ltd., D. T. (20 de agosto de 2009). UE. Obtenido de
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/102544-Modal-Verbs-ofCertainty
Ltda, W. (30 de mayo de 2016). Woodward English. Obtenido de
http://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Future_Will.htm
Ltda, W. (16 de mayo de 2016). Woodward English. Obtenido de
http://www.grammar.cl/english/would.htm