Modals of Speculation and Deduction

Modals of Speculation and Deduction

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to make speculations or deductions

• must

• might

• can't

must

• to say that we are sure something is true

• Covid must be very contagious.

• He must be very angry. His face is red!

to say we think something is true but we're not sure

• He might be tired. I don't know.

• She may be bored. I can't tell.

• He could be angry at me. I haven't talked to him.

to say that we are sure something is not true

• He can't have gone far. He didn't take his phone with him.

• He can't have forgotten about the exam. It's written in his agenda.

In the past we use

• must have + participle

• may have + participle

• might have + participle

• could have + participle

• can't have + participle

Multiple Choice

My feet ____ have grown because my shoes don't fit anymore.

• might

• must