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Modal verbs of deduction – must, may, might, could, can’t

Grammar » B1 Grammar lessons and exercises » Modal verbs of deduction – must, may, might, could, can’t

Exercises
Explanation

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Exercise 1
Choose all the correct modal verbs of deduction for each gap below. In some sentences there are TWO possible correct answers.

 
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1 Paul is behaving in a very unusual way. I think he ______ again.

a. can't drink
b. can be drinking
c. might be drinking

➪ We use the continuous infinitive (be doing) after a modal verb to talk about actions in progress.  

➪ He might be drinking again = 'Perhaps he is drinking again.'

2 I think there ______ a mistake in your tax return. You should check it. Choose TWO correct options

a. can't be
b. might be
c. may be

➪ We can use might or may to say that we think something is possible but we’re not sure. 

➪ There could be a mistake = 'Perhaps there is a mistake.'

3 If Suzan said that, it ______ true. She never lies.

a. might be
b. must be
c. can be

➪ It must be true = 'I'm sure it is true.'

➪ Remember that you don't use can as a modal verb of deduction.

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4 Sorry, but I'm not Connor. You ______ me for someone else.

a. might be confusing
b. must confuse
c. must be confusing

➪ We use the continuous infinitive (be doing) after a modal verb for actions that are in progress now or around now.  

➪ You must be confusing me = ‘I'm sure you are confusing me.’

5 I'm not sure I trust Peter. He ______ the person we think he is.

a. might not be
b. can't be
c. must not be

➪ He might not be the person we think he is = 'Perhaps he isn't the person we think he is.'

➪ When we are sure something is not true, we use can't (NOT mustn't).

6 You have walked for ten hours. You ______ exhausted.

a. can be
b. can't be
c. must be

➪ You must be exhausted = 'I'm sure you are exhausted.'

➪ Remember that you don’t use can as a modal verb of deduction.

7 He ______ his son, they look completely different.

a. might be
b. can't be
c. must not be

➪ When we are sure something is not true, we use can’t (NOT mustn’t).

➪ He can't be his son = 'I'm (quite) sure he is not his son.' We don't use must not to talk about probability.

8 There's a bit of traffic, so I ______ arrive in time. Choose TWO correct options

a. might not
b. must not
c. may not

➪ We can use may not or might not to talk about probability.

➪ I may/might not arrive in time = 'Perhaps I will not arrive in time.'

9 He ______ be very proud of you right now. You disappointed him.

a. must not
b. can't
c. might

➪ When we are sure something is not true, we use can’t (NOT mustn’t).

➪ He can't be very proud of you = 'I'm (quite) sure he is not very proud of you'

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10 I wouldn't swim in this river if I were you. It ______ dangerous. Choose TWO correct options

a. might be
b. may be
c. can be

➪ We can use might or may to say that we think something is possible but we’re not sure. 

➪ It could/might be dangerous = ‘Perhaps it's dangerous.’

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Related tests:

Have to, must, should –

obligation, prohibition,
necessity, advice

Past modal verbs of

deduction

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