MODALS DEDUCTION

MODALS OF DEDUCTION

MIGHT CAN’T MUST

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)

MUST

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.

CAN’T

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.

Modals+ gerund

We can use 

        must/could/might/may/can't+ be+ verb-ing

  for deductions about something happening now

          They must be having a party- the music is very loud

PRACTICE

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/modal-verbs-of-deduction/

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/modal-verbs-of-deduction/2/

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/modal-verbs-of-deduction/3/