Modal Verbs for Expectation

Modal Verbs for Expectation

When we expect something to happen, we often turn to modal verbs. These little words—should, ought to, be supposed to, be bound to, will, and must—help us express degrees of certainty, probability, or obligation that is linked to expectations. Modal Verbs for Expectation

In today’s lesson, you will learn how to use modal verbs to talk about expectations in different contexts, with lots of natural example sentences.

Should – general expectation

In English, we often use should to say that we expect something to happen because it is likely, reasonable or planned.

Form:

Subject + should + base verb

Examples:

• The train should arrive at 7:45. (It is scheduled to arrive then.)
• You should receive your results by Friday. (It is likely.)
• That film should be very good—it’s had excellent reviews.

Negative: we use shouldn’t for something we expect not to happen.

• This meeting shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Tip: Use should when you’re fairly confident but not 100% certain.

Ought to – formal or polite expectation

Ought to has a similar meaning to should, but is more formal or traditional.

Examples:

• The weather ought to improve by the weekend.
• She ought to know the answer—she’s been working here for years.
• This email ought not to take long to write. (formal negative) Modal Verbs for Expectation

Tip: Ought to is less common in everyday speech but appears in formal writing and exams.

Be supposed to – expected duty or arrangement

This is used when something is planned, required, or socially expected.

Form:

Subject + be + supposed to + base verb

Examples:

• I’m supposed to meet Tom at 6 p.m. (It is the plan.)
• You’re supposed to submit the form by Friday. (Rule/requirement.)
• Students are supposed to hand in their homework online.

Negative: not supposed to shows prohibition.

• You’re not supposed to park here.

Tip: In informal speech, be supposed to can also imply the plan isn’t being followed:

• I was supposed to call her yesterday, but I forgot.

Be bound to – strong expectation

We use be bound to when something is almost certain because of circumstances or logic.

Examples:

• He’s bound to win—he’s the best player in the league.
• Prices are bound to go up if inflation continues.
• With so many mistakes, the project is bound to fail.

Tip: This is stronger than should and suggests high probability. Modal Verbs for Expectation

Will – Confident Prediction

Sometimes will expresses an expectation we believe to be certain.

Examples:

• Don’t worry, the children will be fine.
• You will love this restaurant—it’s fantastic.
• There will be plenty of food at the party.

Tip: Will is also used for promises and guarantees, but here it signals a confident assumption.

Must – logical conclusion

If we recognise something as true from evidence or reason, we can use must.

Examples:

• You’ve been working all day—you must be exhausted.
• The lights are out—they must have been turned off.
• She’s smiling—she must be recovering.

Negative: For an opposite logical conclusion, use can’t (not mustn’t). Modal Verbs for Expectation

• That can’t be true—it doesn’t make sense.

Common mistakes to avoid

❌ I’m should to go now.

✅ I should go now. (Should is a modal, so no to after it.)

❌ She must to be tired.

✅ She must be tired. (Must is followed by the base verb.)

❌ I’m supposed meet him.

✅ I’m supposed to meet him. (Be supposed to needs to.)

Quick reference table

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