Test

1. Do you remember my birthday party last year? You _____ remember! It was the same day as your
graduation.
a. can't
b. could
c. must
2. Come in and sit down. You _____ be tired after the journey.
a. must
b. might
c. can't
3. Whose is this coat? It _____ be Paul's. It's way too small for him.
a. must
b. could
c. can't
4. The exam results will be out soon. It _____ be this week or possibly next week.
a. must
b. might
c. can't
5. She always gets such good grades at school. She _____ work very hard.
a. must
b. could
c. can't
6. The doctor said my headaches _____ be because of the hot weather but they're going to do some
tests to be sure.
a. must
b. could
c. can't
7. He _____ be our teacher! He looks about twelve!
a. must
b. might
c. can't
8. Take this umbrella just in case. It looks as if it _____ rain.
a. must
b. might
c. can't

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Grammar explanation
We can use modal verbs for deduction – guessing if something is true using the
available information. The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the
possibility. This page focuses on making deductions about the present or future.

must
We use must when we feel sure that something is true or it's the only realistic
possibility.

This must be her house. I can see her car in the garage.
He must live near here because he always walks to work.
Come inside and get warm. You must be freezing out there!

might, may, could

We use might, may or could to say that we think something is possible but we're not
sure.

She's not here yet. She might be stuck in traffic.

He's not answering. He could be in class.
We regret to inform you that some services may be delayed due to the bad weather.

They all have the same meaning, but may is more formal than might and could.

can't
We use can't when we feel sure that something is not possible.

It can't be far now. We've been driving for hours.

She can't know about the complaint. She's promoted him to team leader.
It can't be easy for him, looking after three kids on his own.

Note that these verbs, like all modal verbs, are followed by an infinitive without to.

TEST YOURSELF
1. The house isn't hard to find. It's the red one at the end. You _____ miss it!
a. must
b. might
c. can't
2. What an amazing trip! You _____ have some incredible photos.

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a. must
b. might
c. can't
3. That _____ be the vegetarian option. It's got chicken in it.
a. must
b. may not
c. can't
4. Have you got your passport? I'm not sure if you'll need it but they _____ ask you for ID.
a. can't
b. might
c. must
5. Who left their laptop on my desk? It _____ be Mel's – she's working at home today.
a. must
b. could
c. can't
6. Samira has flu. We don't know yet but she _____ need to take the whole week off.
a. must
b. can't
c. may
7. Your watch says a different time from mine. One of them _____ be wrong.
a. must
b. could
c. may
8. Look at that bird! Maybe it's an eagle or it _____ be a vulture.
a. must
b. could
c. can't

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