Modal Verbs (speculation)

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Modal verbs (Speculation)

Alfonso Sánchez y Marta Fernández

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01

PRESENT SPECULATION

When speculating about a present situation

Structure

She must be a chef.

We use a modal verb (must/might/may/could/can't) + infinitive

MODAL VERBS

MUST

You use MUST when you are sure something is true.

He must be at home

MIGHT, MAY, COULD

You use MIGHT, MAY or COULD when you think it's possible something is was true

-It might rain today-It may show tomorrow -He could live in New York.

CAN'T (COULDN'T)

You use CAN´T (or COULDN´T) when you are sure something isn't true

-He can't be alive.-Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.

02

PAST SPECULATION

To speculate about a past situation or event

Structure

He could have taken the flight

We use a modal verb (must/might/may/could/can't) + have + the Past Participle form of the main verb

MODAL VERBS

MUST HAVE

You use MUST HAVE when you are sure something was true.

We must have been crazy

MIGHT HAVE, MAY HAVE, COULD HAVE

You use MIGHT HAVE, MAY HAVE or COULD HAVE when you think it's possible something was true

-You might have sold the car.-We may have passed the math exam. -He could have taken the flight.

CAN'T HAVE (COULDN'T HAVE)

You use CAN´T HAVE (or COULDN´T HAVE) when you are sure something wasn't true

-You can’t have seen John last night. He was in hospital. -She couldn’t have passed the test. She didn’t even open the books.

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