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Modals of Deduction

This document explains the use of modal verbs for making deductions, including 'must', 'can't', 'may', 'might', and 'could'. It highlights the differences in certainty and formality among these modals and provides examples and exercises for practice. Additionally, it clarifies the distinction between modals of deduction and obligation.

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Carla Bello Ferraez
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42 views8 pages

Modals of Deduction

This document explains the use of modal verbs for making deductions, including 'must', 'can't', 'may', 'might', and 'could'. It highlights the differences in certainty and formality among these modals and provides examples and exercises for practice. Additionally, it clarifies the distinction between modals of deduction and obligation.

Uploaded by

Carla Bello Ferraez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 3

MODAL VERBS OF DEDUCTION

When we are not 100% sure about


things, we make deductions, using
modals.

Must Can’t

May Might Could


When we feel sure that
Must something is true or it’s
the only realistic
possibility.

The lights are


on… Mom must be
home!
When we feel sure
Can’t
that something is not
possible.

The lights are


off… Mom can’t be
home!
Note that the opposite of
must
is not mustn’t. It’s can’t.

E.g. (+) They must be ill.

(-) They mustn’t be ill.

(-) They can’t be ill.


When we think
something is possible
but we're not sure.

May The doctor may help you with your


problem.

Might Our team might not win the


match.

Could He's not answering. He could be in a


meeting.

They all have the same meaning, but


may is more formal than might and
could.
Don’t confuse
modals of
deduction
with modals of
obligation.

E.g. She must be really


clever. (deduction)

She must arrive early.


(obligation)
Exercises

1. That restaurant be very good. It’s always full of people.

2. That restaurant be very good. It’s always empty.

3. a: Who was the guy we saw with Anna


yesterday? b: I’m not sure. It be her
brother.

4. He is listening to music. He not


hear the doorbell.

5. This bill be correct. It’s


much too high.

6. They be from France. I heard


them talk yesterday.

7. I often see that man in this street. He


have a house near here.

8. He be rich. Look at all those cars in the


driveway.

9. I have to take my dog to a vet. He has been


acting weird lately. He
be ill.
Answer Key

1. That restaurant must be very good. It’s always full of people.

2. That restaurant can’t be very good. It’s always empty.

3. a: Who was the guy we saw with Anna yesterday?


b: I’m not sure. It might/may/could be her brother.

4. He is listening to music. He might/may not hear the doorbell.

5. This bill can’t be correct. It’s much too high.

6. They might/may/could be from France. I heard them talk yesterday.

7. I often see that man in this street. He must have a house near here.

8. He must be rich. Look at all those cars in the driveway.

9. I have to take my dog to a vet. He has been acting weird lately. He


might/may/could be ill.
might
10.I don’t know where she is. She must be at work.

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