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Guide to Future Modals – TOEIC® Preparation

Flow Exam team

In English, expressing the future is not limited to using will or the be going to construction. Modal auxiliaries (and semi-modals) such as can, could, may, might, must, should, shall, etc., offer the possibility to nuance your statements by adding notions of probability, ability, obligation, or recommendation, while still placing the action in the future.

This guide presents these different modals and their use for talking about the future, then we will establish the distinctions with the more traditional future forms (will, be going to).

1. Using shall for the Future

The modal auxiliary shall was historically the preferred future form for first-person pronouns (I, we), but its contemporary use is largely superseded by will.

Nevertheless, it is still found in formal contexts or for formulating polite suggestions, especially in the interrogative form:

  • I shall see you tomorrow.(Very formal or literary register equivalent to "I will see you tomorrow.")

2. Employing can / could in the Future

A. can

The modal can generally serves to express ability or permission in the present, but it can also refer to future ability/possibility.

  • I can start working on that project tomorrow.(Starting tomorrow, I will have the possibility, means, or time to begin that project.)
  • We can meet you at the airport next week.(We will be able to meet you at the airport next week.)
Even if the verb form remains the same as in the present, the time markers "tomorrow" or "next week" clearly place these actions in the future.

B. could

The modal could represents the past tense of can, but it also allows for expressing a more hypothetical future possibility, or for formulating an offer/suggestion more diplomatically.

  • We could discuss the details next Monday if you are available.(It would be possible to address the details next Monday, but it is conditional or less certain.)
  • I could send you the documents later this week.(An offer with a nuance of "if that suits you" or "it's not guaranteed but conceivable.")

C. can & could VS will

Compared to will, the modals can and could place more emphasis on ability or possibility rather than on the idea of a future considered as a given.

3. Using may / might for the Future

A. may

The modal may conveys probability (often moderate or reasonable) or permission. For the future, "may" signals that an event could happen, without total guarantee.

  • He may arrive tomorrow.(It is possible that he will arrive tomorrow.)
  • We may announce the results next week.(There is a good chance that we will communicate the results next week.)

B. might

The modal might is also used to express an eventuality, but generally with a lower or more uncertain level than may. "May" and "might" are sometimes interchangeable, but might truly suggests increased uncertainty.

  • They might visit us next month.(They might possibly visit us next month, but it is far from certain.)
  • I might apply for that position next year.(I might possibly apply for that position next year, without being completely decided.)

C. may & might VS will

Unlike will, the modals may and might highlight the fact that this future remains hypothetical.

4. Employing must / have to in the Future

A. must

The modal must conveys imperative obligation, an almost unavoidable necessity. When referring to a future action, it emphasizes that this action must absolutely be carried out.

  • We must finish this report by tomorrow.(Firm obligation to finalize this report by tomorrow.)
  • She must attend the meeting next week.(She must absolutely attend the meeting next week.)

B. have to

The structure have to also expresses obligation, but it is more commonly used to construct an explicit future: will have to + base verb.

  • I will have to study hard for the TOEIC® next month.(I will have to study hard next month for the TOEIC®.)
  • They will have to pay the invoice by Friday.(They will have to pay the invoice by Friday.)

5. Employing should / ought to in the Future

A. should

The modal should conveys advice, a recommendation, or something that should logically happen (i.e., a reasonable expectation).

  • You should call your boss tomorrow.(It is recommended; it would be preferable for you to contact your boss tomorrow.)
  • They should finish the project next week if everything goes well.(They should complete the project next week, if everything goes as planned.)

B. ought to

The phrase ought to is similar to "should," but it belongs to a more formal and less frequent register in common speech.

  • He ought to receive his visa next month.(Logically, he should receive his visa next month.)

6. Expressing the Future with likely to / certain to

Another way to refer to the future is to use the construction be + (un)likely/certain + to + base verb. The present form of be (is/are/'s) is used here, even when referring to a future event:

  • The company is certain to launch its new product next quarter.(The certainty is absolute: it is perceived as an inevitable future fact.)
  • Real estate prices are likely to increase over the next few years.(It is considered probable, but not 100% guaranteed.)
  • The local government is unlikely to reduce taxes this year.(This seems improbable; there is little belief in it.)
It is crucial to note that the present tense (is/are/'s) is used here, not "will be likely to," even when referring to a future event!

7. Vocabulary for Expressing Degrees of Future Probability

There are terms that allow you to qualify the probability that a future event will occur.

  • 100 % probability: will definitely
    • Self-driving cars will definitely become more advanced.
  • 70-80 % probability: will probably
    • Robots will probably perform most household chores.
  • 50 % probability: perhaps / maybe
    • Perhaps people will be able to take virtual vacations.
  • 20-30 % probability: probably won't
    • Scientists probably won't find a cure for every disease yet.
  • 0 % probability: definitely won't
    • Humans definitely won't build permanent cities on Mars so soon.

8. Essential Distinctions

  • Certainty vs. Uncertainty
    • Will expresses a future presented as certain (or considered as such).
    • May/might/could express different nuances of possibility, from the most probable (may) to the most hypothetical (might/could).
  • Obligation vs. Determination
    • Must or will have to convey future necessity.
    • Will does not imply obligation, but rather a simple future fact or a willingness ("I will do it").
  • Advice or Suggestions
    • Should/ought to indicate what is recommended or desirable.
    • Will does not express advice but an intention or a prediction.

Conclusion

The expression of the future in English is therefore not limited to the use of will or be going to. The modal auxiliaries can, may, might, must, should, shall, etc., allow you to add essential nuances: possibility, permission, obligation, probability, advice…

  • Can/Could: Future ability or possibility.
  • May/Might: Higher or lower probability.
  • Must/Have to: Necessity or obligation.
  • Should/Ought to: Advice or recommendation.
  • Shall: Very formal future or suggestions (especially in questions).

To succeed in the TOEIC®, it is crucial to recognize and master these nuances, as they will allow you to grasp the speaker's intentions in the Listening section and identify key information in documents or dialogues.

There are also other future constructions that you absolutely must master. Here are the guides on the other forms of the future:

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