Modal verbs for present and past speculations

Modal verbs for present and past speculation

When can we use them?

When can we use them?

We use the modal verbs must, may, might, could, can't to speculate about events in the present and past

Degrees of certainty

CERTAIN THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE: must (na pewno tak) LESS CERTAIN (POSSIBLE): may, might, could (możliwe, że/być może) CERTAIN THAT SOMETHING IS FALSE: can't (na pewno nie)

Which one should I use?

Impossible - 0%

Definite - 100%

50/50

must(na pewno tak)

may/may notmight/might not could (możliwe, że/być może)

can't(na pewno nie)

How can I paraphrase them?

may/might/could

can't

must

I'm sure...(not) I'm certain...(not) There is no doubt...(not) It's definitely not It's impossible

I'm sure I'm certain There's no doubt It's definitely

Perhaps Maybe Probably I'm not sure/certain I suppose It's possible It's likely It seems...

Speculations about the present

must may/may not might/might not could can't

+ infinitive

He may be tired. (Może jest zmęczony)He might have a headache. (Może boli go głowa)

Speculations about the present (actions in progress)

must may/may not might/might not + be + verb + ING could can't

He may be crying.(Może on płacze)

Speculations about the past

must may/may not might/might not + have + 3f/ed could can't/couldn't

He might have received some bad news.(Możliwe, że otrzymał złe wieści.)

Speculations about the present - further examples

Speculations about the past - further examples

He must have robbed a bank. (Na pewno obrabował bank.) The police might/may/could have seen him.(Możliwe, że policjanci go widzieli.) He can't/couldn't have taken much money. (Na pewno nie ukradł dużo.)

Let's speculate about the following situations

Some practice

I hope you enjoyed it