Modals - deduction (present)

Complete the sentences by writing 'must', 'might', or 'can't' into the gaps.
It
be him he's in Spain this week. He
suppose.
Come in and sit down. You
Who's this letter from? It

have a twin brother, I

be tired after the journey.

be from Paul he never writes letters.

The exam results should be out soon. It

week.

be this week or it

She always gets such good grades at school. She

be next

work very hard.

Choose one word to complete each sentence - must, might or can't.

Remember - English people often use must or can't with exclamation marks.

1. Sarah never stops talking about Steve. She

2. You

be in love with him!

hate English food - it's delicious!

3. Tom

be working today - I just saw him at the gym.

4. Tom

be working today, but I can't remember.

5. You drank 3 bottles of wine? You

6. Frank's quite good at grammar. He

feel so sick!
know the answer for this question.

7. You studied this for 3 years at university! You

8. You just slept for 12 hours! You

know the answer!

be tired again already!

9. She always gets me a present, but this year she didn't. She
forgotten that it's my birthday.

have

State or Action? Past or Present?

Choose the best words to complete these sentences. Decide if it is a present
state, an action in progress or a past action/state.
The boys look so sad. They must

the football match yesterday. (lose)

The music next door is so loud! They must

She just said she didn't want any wine. She must
His bedroom light is still on. He might

Dave's got a new car. He must

That girl looks bored. She might

pregnant. (be)
a book. (read)

Andrew's good friends with Gemma. He might

Why did you tell him the truth? You must
(know)

a party. (have)

her phone number. (know)

that he didn't want to hear it.

a pay rise at work. (have)

for someone. (wait)

Past Modal Verbs of Deduction Exercise

- There is strong evidence.
She must have gone out
I might have made a mistake - There is a possibility that I made a mistake.
- It's impossible.
He can't have been there.
You should have apologised - A criticism
You shouldn't have said that. - A criticism

1. He ............................ known it was your birthday. Otherwise, I'm sure he would

have wished you a happy day.
A.
B.
C.
D.

might have
shouldn't have
must have
can't have

2. The boss is in a terrible mood. The meeting ................................ been good.

A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
might have
shouldn't have
can't have

3. She ................................studied really hard. She passed all her exams with
excellent grades.
A.
B.
C.
D.

might have
must have
should have
can't have

4. Andrew did no revision for the exam but he's passed. I think he
................................ cheated.
A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
shouldn't have
might have
can't have

5. John has forgotten about the meeting. We ................................ reminded him

about it yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
might have
should have
shouldn't have

6. I'm sorry but Samantha isn't here. She ................................ already left the office.
A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
should have
can't have
might have

7. You ................................ shouted at him. He'll never forgive you.

A.
B.
C.
D.

might have
can't have
must have
shouldn't have

8. I left my bicycle in front of the library and it's disappeared. Someone

................................ stolen it.
A.
B.
C.
D.

should have
can't have
must have
might have

9. Sarah ................................ been so happy when she found out she was being
promoted.
A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
can't have
shouldn't have
might have

10. You ................................ tried to fix the roof yourself. You might have fallen off
and been badly injured.
A.
B.
C.
D.

shouldn't have
might have
must have
can't have

11. The concert was fantastic. You really ................................ come.

A.
B.
C.
D.

can't have
might have
should have
must have

12. I had to wait 45 minutes for a bus yesterday. There ................................ been an
accident or maybe a strike.
A.
B.
C.
D.

might have
should have
can't have
must have

13. He ................................ arrived by now. It's only a 20 minute journey.

A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
can't have
shouldn't have
might have

14. He ................................ bought a new car. He doesn't have any money.

A.
B.
C.
D.

must have
might have
can't have
should have

15. Clara was very upset with you yesterday. You ................................ apologised for
saying she was lazy.
A.
B.
C.
D.

can't have
should have
must have
might have