Modal Verbs: Must, Might, Could, May, Can’t – Making Deductions - GE 8 Unit 10

Principle:

• Must, might, could, may, can’t: to make deduction in the present.
• Must: something we believe is true.
• could, may, might: something that we think is possibly true.
• Can’t: something we believe isn’t  true.
• something is definitely true, we don’t use a modal verb.
• To make deductions about states, we use modal verb + infinitive.
• To make deductions about something happening now, we use modal verb + be + ing.

 

Examples

Must: something we believe is true.

He must be talking to some guests in the other room.

He must know that speech by now.

could, may, might: something that we think is possibly true.

He might be in the bathroom.

He could be picking people up from the station.

It could be the guy that moved to New York.

He may want to be on his own for a bit.

Can’t: something we believe isn’t  true.

That can’t be her real hair colour.

He can’t be having a cigarette.

something is definitely true, we don’t use a modal verb.

He is practicing his speech in front of the mirror.

No, that isn’t Derek Bradely.

To make deductions about states, we use modal verb + infinitive.

He must know that speech by now.

To make deductions about something happening now, we use modal verb + be + ing.

He must be talking to some guests in the other room.

Modal – 10B GE 8 - something happening now

He can’t be in his twenties. He looks older.

Look at the tie he is wearing. He must be mad.

His wife isn’t here. She must be looking after the baby.

He is not drinking. He could be driving later.

I hear he has got two degrees. He must be very clever.

He has just bought another flat. He must be earning a lot of money.

He is looking very relaxed. He can’t be working very hard.

Modal again

I can’t remember the password. Do you have any idea who might know it?

Can you ring your friend back later? Josh might be trying to phone from the airport.

I wonder why Katie is not here. She might not feeling very well.

What is Perth like Sue ? I haven’t been to Aussie. You must be thinking someone else.

She told me she had to work hard. But I don’t believe it. She must think I am stupid.

I haven’t seen Jim yet today. He can’t be still sleeping. It is nearly midday.

Have you seen Ray this morning? No, I haven’t. He could be working at home. He sometimes does on Tuesday.

I am sure that is Katie.	That girl must be Katie.
I am sure that isn’t Katie.	That girl can’t be Katie.
It is possible that it is Katie.	It may be Katie.
May be that isn’t Katie.	It might not be Katie.
I am certain that wasn’t Katie.	It can’t have been Katie.
Perhaps that was Katie.	It could have been Katie.
It was definitely Katie.	It must have been Katie.

 

She won prizes for her research. She must be really intelligent.

I would take an umbrella if I were you. It looks like it might/may rain.

It can’t be him. He is on holiday until next week.

Hey guess what? I might be getting a car for my birthday! It is not completely definite yet though.

I can’t believe you have been waiting all this time! You must be really bored.

His car is not here. He must have gone out.

Look how much sugar and salt it has got in it! It can be good for you.

Have you looked next to your computer? I think you might have left your keys there.

1. Would you like something else or shall I ask for the bill? He could be in a restaurant.

2. I’d like it a bit shorter please, but not too much. She must be at the hairdresser’s.

3. I didn’t sleep a wink last night and I’ve had meetings all day. She must be shattered.

4. GIRL: Have you got the sun cream?  BOY: No. You were supposed to bring it. They might be on the beach.

5. BOY   I’m sorry I’m late, Miss Pringle. Dad had to drive slowly because er ... the road was very er ... icy.

TEACHER: Icy? It’s the middle of summer! He must be lying.

6.  MAN: This present’s from my mother. What do you think it is? It’s very heavy. WOMAN: Well, open it and find out!  It can’t be a tie.

It is possible that I will visit Bandung next month.

I could visit Bandung next month.

I am thinking about taking Academic writing lesson.

I may take academic writing lesson.

I am sure they will be home by now.

They must be arriving or at home now.

He definitely isn’t eighteen yet.

He can’t be eighteen yet.

It is possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow.

The weather might be sunny tomorrow.

I am sure that he didn’t leave home.

He can’t have left home.

Perhaps she has gone to stay with her mother.

She might be staying / at her mother home.

It is possible that he committed a crime.

He may have committed a crime.

I am certain that he buried something in the garden.

He must have buried something in the garden.

Perhaps he won the lottery.

He could have won the lottery.

I am sure he bought a new car.

He must have bought a new car.

Perhaps he murdered his wife.

He might have murdered his wife.

I am sure she is at home.

She must be  at home.

I know that isn’t Hanet. She is in America

She can’t be Hanet.

I am sure she thinks I am stupid.

She must think I am stupid.

I bet I look silly in this coat.

I must look silly in this coat.

They are always buying a new car. I am certain they have a lot f money

They must be rich / have a lot money.

I am sure he is not a teacher. He is too well dressed.

He can’t be a teacher.

Are you an architect? I am sure that is an interesting job.

Architect must be an interesting job.

I am sure you are not serious. I know you are joking.

You must be joking.

I am sure he has got another woman. He keeps coming home late.

He must be dating, get another woman, have an affair.

This water is possibly dangerous.

This water could be dangerous.

Politic is sometimes really boring.

Politic can be boring.