MODALS OF DEDUCTION: Lesson 90

Type 1 To express possibilities for the future: COULD / MAY / MIGHT

It may rain tomorrow.

Type 2 To express certainty: CAN’T / COULDN’T / MUST

She can’t be Irish.

Type 3 For possible explanations: COULD / MAY / MIGHT

She could be Scottish.

A. Complete with may, must, can, could, might, could or can’t.

1) He _____________ be French, judging by his thick accent.

2) They _____________still be out because the door is still open!
3) The weather report says that tomorrow ____________ be a sunny day.
4) You _________________ be right but I’m going to check anyway.
5) The exam ______________ be easy. But the teacher ________ have put in few trick questions.
You never know.
6) Dave reckons she’s from the States but I think she ____________ be from Scandinavia.
7) I _____________ go to the party but I’m not sure yet because the last one was a real bore.
8) This _______________ be the right answer but we’ll have to check with your teacher to make sure.
9) Winona Ryder _______________ steal things from shops. She’s rich and famous.
10) She’s been revising 10 hours a day for 3 weeks. She ____________ be exhausted.
11) He _________________ be from the USA. He doesn’t speak English.
12) They _____________ be away for the weekend, but I’m not sure.

B. Complete with must, might, could or can’t.

1) She _____________ be married. He’s only 15 years old.

2) They _____________ be twins. They are absolutely identical.
3) Italy ________ win the European Championships this year. They’re playing well, but not brilliantly.
4) That _____________ be the campsite over there. I can see lots of tents.
5) The museum ___________not be open because it is Monday.
6) He ____________ be a native English speaker. He speaks with a lot grammatical errors.
7) That _____________ be the postman. It’s too early.

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 8) I’m not sure what nationality she is. She _______ be Scandinavian or she ________ be Dutch.
9) The crowd looks really happy. Their team ___________ be winning.
10) You ______________ be exhausted. You’ve been working since 7 o’clock this morning.
11) Jack ________________ be at home. His jacket is still here.
12) I _________________still have your book, but I'm not certain.
13) This ____________ be the right answer. The others are definitely wrong.
14) That _____________ be Maria. I'm sure she's got blond hair, not dark.
15) I'm not sure but the painting ____________ be an original.

C. Fill with can’t/ could / may / might / must / to be

1. Annie goes to school from 9 am to 2 pm. It's 1:30 pm. Where's Annie?
She be at home. She be in biology class.

2. Ron likes playing soccer on Saturday mornings. It's Saturday afternoon. What's Ron
doing?
could
He still be playing soccer, can he? He be at home by now.

3. Joanna never leaves her house before eating breakfast. Today she's running late. What's
she doing?
She be leaving yet. She eating breakfast.

4. Pedro only skips work for important events. Today is the final game of the Soccer World
Cup. Where's Pedro?
He be at a bar watching the game. He be watching the game online, but he
be in the office.

5. Rhonda and Jackie love watching movies. Their favorite movies are comedies, but they
don't like animated movies very much. Today, a new 3D animated movie is premiered. What
are they doing?
6. They be at the premiere, they don't like animated movies that much.
They be home watching a comedy.

Modal verbs of deduction

Complete the sentences. Choose the correct word.

1 Jack .......... be at home. His 2 I .......... still have your book,

jacket is still here. but I'm not certain.

a) might a) might
b) can't b) must
c) could c) can't

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 3 This ....... be the right answer. 4 That ............. be Maria. I'm
The others are definitely sure she's got blond hair, not
wrong. dark.

a) can't a) may
b) must b) might
c) could c) can't

5 I'm not sure but the 6 She's been working hard so

painting .......... be an original. she ........... be tired.

a) could a) may
b) must b) can't
c) can't c) must

Look at the following pictures and use three modals of deduction to talk about each one.

1 2 3

4 5 6