MODALS OF DEDUCTION
PRESENT. We use modals of deduction to say how
sure we are about something. In present modals of
deduction are: must, might, may, could, can't.
We use must when we feel sure that something is
true because there’s very strong evidence:
He must live near here because he comes to work
on foot. (We don’t know where he lives but we’re
sure it’s not far away)
Are you a broker? It must be a well-paid job.
We use might, may or could to say that WE
THINK SOMETHING IS POSSIBLE BUT WE’RE NOT
SURE
What do you know about him? He might be a
reserved person.
They may be late on meeting.
Don't eat it! It could be poisoned!
NEGATIVE
We use can't/couldn't when we ASSUME
SOMETHING IS NOT TRUE:
She can't be a mother, she's only 14!
He can't be in prison, I saw him yesterday in a pub.
They can't be in a library. It's closed today.
All modals of deduction in present depend on HOW
CERTAIN YOU ARE ABOUT THE FACT
PRESENT
YOU ARE A 100 % MIKE MUST BE AT HOME
SURE MIKE IS AT
HOME
YOU ARE 50% MIKE MAY/MIGHT/COULD be at
SURE MIKE IS AT home
HOME
YOU ARE 100% MIKE CAN’T BE AT HOME
SURE MIKE IS
NOT AT HOME
PAST. The structure of modals in the past is
different, but the meaning is quite similar (just
refers to the past):
Must + have + VERB IN PP – WE ARE SURE that
something happened in the past:
Where is my wallet?! Someone must have stolen it!
You're soaked. It must have been raining outside.
Might, may, could + have Ved/3 - we THINK
SOMETHING WAS POSSIBLE BUT WE ARE NOT
SURE:
The thieves might have escaped by car but we can’t
be sure.
Where’s Thomas? He may have been delayed by a
traffic jam or something.
I can’t find my purse. I could have left it in the
supermarket but I just don’t know.
PAST
MODAL POSSIBILITY EXAMPLE
MUST HAVE 100% He must have been
delayed by a traffic jam
or something
MAY HAVE 50% He may have been
delayed by a traffic jam
or something
MIGHT HAVE LESS CERTAIN He might have been
30% delayed by a traffic jam
or something
COULD HAVE LESS CERTAIN He could have been
30% delayed by a traffic jam
or something
NEGATIVE
Can't, couldn't + have + verb in PP- we FEEL SURE THAT
SOMETHING DIDN’T HAPPEN IN THE PAST
I thought I saw John in town this morning but it
COULDN’T have been him – he’s in Greece this week.
I COULDN’T have left it in the supermarket – I had it on
the bus on the way home.
You COULDN’T have read the instructions properly.
They’re perfectly clear.
PRESENT PAST
Somebody is knocking on the Somebody has eaten my hot dog
door! Who did it?
It MUST be john It MUST HAVE BEEN Tom
He promised to visit me today There’s some ketchup on his t-shirt
We use MUST when we feel We use MUST+HAVE+PP when we
sure that something is true are sure about something in the past
because there’s strong
evidence
It MIGHT/MAY/COULD BE It MIGHT/MAY/COULD HAVE BEEN
Jehovah’s witness. Jane.
They often go door to door She was in the kitchen 30 minutes
ago
We use MIGHT/MAY/COULD to We use MIGHT/MAY/COULD +
say that we think something is HAVE+ PP to say that we think
possible but we are not sure something was possible but we are
not sure
NEGATIVE NEGATIVE
It CAN’T be Sarah she’s out of It CAN’T/COULDN’T HAVE BEEN Lisa.
the country now She’s on a diet
We use CAN’T when we feel We use COULDN’T+HAVE+PP when
sure something IS NOT TRUE we feel sure something DIDN’T
happen in the past
PREFFIXES
The preffix dis- Is used before (adj, n, v) to give them the
oposite meaning.
Example: Agree-disagree
The preffix mis- Is used before (v and n), it means bad(ly)
wrong(ly)
Example: understand-misunderstand
The preffix under- Is used before (adj, n and verbs), it means
not enough
Example: developed-underdeveloped
The suffix less- Is used after a (n) to form an (adj), it means
without that quality or characteristic.
Example: end-endless
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words
in capitals.
The advice I was given was _________________________.
It didn’t help me at all. WORTH
We ___________________ how good the other team was
and ended up los int the match.
ESTIMATE
Most of the time, people __________________ Larry’s
shyness as rudeness. INTERPRET
You Are going to face difficulties in the beginning but don’t
let anything ___________________ you. COURAGE
He felt completely ___________________ as the wolf slowly
approached him. DEFENCE
Wait till I ___________________ the machine from the
power supply before you start repairing it. CONNECT
I’m afraid you have been _________________. We don’t sell
second hand cars. INFORM
