Speculating and guessing (B1 Vocabulary)

Use might, could or may + the base verb to guess about something possible but not certain.

Guessing with might, could, may

Not "Chatting with a friend: "It must rain later, so maybe bring a coat." (must sounds certain, but you are only guessing)" — say "Chatting with a friend: "It might rain later, so maybe bring a coat." (might marks a guess)". For a guess, use might, could or may; must sounds certain.
Try it: Sofia: Do you know where Mei is? Which reply from Lani is the careful guess? (Mei could be in the reading room, but I haven't checked. / Mei is in the reading room. / Mei was in the reading room yesterday.) Answer: Mei could be in the reading room, but I haven't checked. — Could be marks a guess, which fits because Lani hasn't checked.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
might	/maɪt/	Amina might join us at the library after class.
could	/kʊd/	The delay could affect the evening performance.
may	/meɪ/	The clinic may close early during the storm.

Start with What if ...? or Suppose ... to imagine a possible situation, often a worry, and talk it through.

Not ""If the last bus is gone?" (sounds like an unfinished real condition)" — say ""What if the last bus is gone?" (clearly opens an imagined problem)". What if and suppose flag that you're imagining a situation, not reporting a real one.
Try it: Sofia: The booking is all sorted, I think. Diego: ___ you can't find the booking email? Which reply raises an imagined problem? (What if / Because / When) Answer: What if — What if opens an imagined problem; "because" gives a reason and "when" sounds certain.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
what if	/wɑt ɪf/	What if the buses stop running before the concert ends?
suppose	/səˈpoʊz/	Suppose the room is full, where should we meet?

Incorrect	Correct	Why
Chatting with a friend: "It must rain later, so maybe bring a coat." (must sounds certain, but you are only guessing)	Chatting with a friend: "It might rain later, so maybe bring a coat." (might marks a guess)	For a guess, use might, could or may; must sounds certain.
"If the last bus is gone?" (sounds like an unfinished real condition)	"What if the last bus is gone?" (clearly opens an imagined problem)	What if and suppose flag that you're imagining a situation, not reporting a real one.