PREDICTIONS

Predicting the Future

We can say how sure we feel about the future by using modal verbs. There are also other phrases we can use to express our certainty or uncertainty about future events.

Modal verbs

We can combine modal verbs with adverbs to show a greater or lesser degree of certainty.

• People will definitely work longer hours in the future.
• People definitely won’t work longer hours in the future.

Both of these sentences show that the speaker is sure.

• You’ll probably enjoy this film.
• You probably won’t enjoy this film.

The speaker is thinks (s)he’s right but isn’t 100% sure.

• She might pass the exam or she might not pass. I don’t know.

The speaker isn’t sure at all. You could also use could or may instead of might.

EXERCISES

http://www.examenglish.com/grammar/b1_may_might.htm

http://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/future-simple

If you think something is possible in the future, you are making a prediction.

I think England will win the next World Cup.

These are the most common expressions for making predictions. The percentages (%) are very approximate - just to show you the order of the expressions.

It'll definitely rain.	100% chance of rain
It'll probably rain.	80%-95%
It might rain.	50%-80%
It might not rain.	20%-50%
It probably won't rain.	5%-20%
It definitely won't rain.	0% chance of rain

Notice the position of words like "definitely" - before "won't", but after "will".
We often use 'be going to' instead of 'will' for predictions. There usually isn't a difference, but 'be going to' can mean that we have a reason for making the prediction.

I think it'll snow next Christmas.

(but that's in 12 months - I can't know this)

I think it 's going to snow again tomorrow.

(there are a lot of clouds and the weather is very, very cold)