Modal verbs of deduction – must, may, might, could, can’t

Grammar » B1 Grammar lessons and exercises » Modal verbs of deduction – must, may, might, could, can’t » Page 2
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  • Exercises: 1 2 3

    Modal verbs of deduction – must, may, might, could, can’t

    Exercise 2

    Choose the correct modal verbs of deduction to complete the sentences below.

    1 The phone is ringing. It be Charlotte; she said she would call this morning.

    2 She be in love with him. She told me she hates him.

    3 He be at the gym right now. Sometimes he goes there at this time.

    4 This is not possible. You be serious!

    5 If he drives a jaguar, he be quite rich.

    6 You should pick up the phone. It be an important call.

    7 He know the answer, he's the best in the class.

    8 You be right, but it's better if we check.

    9 He be in class. I saw him at the library a minute ago.

    10 A: Who's at the door?  B: I don't know; it be John.


     

    Exercises: 1 2 3

  • Modal verbs of deduction – Grammar chart

    Modal verbs of deduction – must, might, could, can’t

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    May, might

    We use may and might to talk about things that are possibly true, but we don’t know for sure.

    • He’s more than 2 meters tall. He might be a basketball player. (=perhaps he is)
    • He says Betty is his friend, but I think she may be his girlfriend.

    We use may not or might not to talk about things that are possibly not true, but we don’t know for sure.

    • You should call her. She might not know where you are. (=perhaps she doesn’t know)

    can

    We don’t use can as a modal of deduction.

    • He might/may be at home now. (NOT He can be at home now)

     

    Must, can’t

    We use must when we are sure, or quite sure, that something is true.

    • You must be tired after the long journey. (=I’m sure you are tired)
    • I’m sure I had the keys when I left. They must be in the car.

    But we use can’t (NOT mustn’t) when we are sure, or quite sure, that something is not true.

    • We’ve been walking for hours. It can’t be far from here. (NOT It mustn’t be far)
    • They’ve lived here only for a couple of months. They can’t know many people.

     

    + be -ing

    After may, might, must or can’t we can use be + -ing, when we are talking about actions in progress.

    • They’ve gone to Ibiza, and right now they must be having a great time.
    • Call him. He might be waiting for us.

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