Possibility, probability

Unit 22 & deduction

22.1 May, might and could

22.2 Can/Could
22.3 May/Might/Could + have + past participle
22.4 Should and ought to
22.5 Using must and can’t to make deductions

Grammar Practice
Part A Part B Part C Part D Part E
Language Practice
Part F Part G

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
22.1 May, might and could
• We can use may, might or could to talk about present
or future possibility.
You’d better take an umbrella with you. It may
rain.
We might do some shopping this evening, but
we haven’t decided yet.
We’d better be prepared for the worst. Anything
could happen.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• Whether we use may, might or could depends on how

likely we think something is; that is, its degree of
possibility. Might is normally a little less sure than may.
We use might instead of may in past indirect speech.
Could is less sure than may or might.

• May and might are more formal than can/could.

Tom: Where’s Fred?
Megan: He may/might/could be in the library.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• We can use be + -ing after may, might and could.

You’d better not call Belinda now. She may/
might/could be having dinner.
• We can use a perfect infinitive (have + past participle)
after may, might and could.
I think she may have taken her bag already.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

! Caution!

As negatives we use may not (not usually contracted),

might not (contraction = mightn’t) and could not
(contraction = couldn’t).
 James mayn’t be at home.
 It’s Sunday. James may not be at home.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
22.2 Can/Could
• We can use can/could to say that something sometimes
happens or is generally possible, or that someone is able
to do something.
In Hong Kong, temperatures can reach 34ºC in
summer.
She can speak Putonghua.
• We can use could to talk about the past.
He travelled a lot when he was younger. He
could get restless after staying in one place for
too long.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• We can use may/might/could (but not can) to indicate the

chances of something happening.
We may/might/could go to Beijing at Easter.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
22.3 May/Might/Could + have + past participle
• We can use the structure may/might/could + have +
past participle to express possibility in the past.
Hayley didn’t call last night. She may/might
have forgotten to.
I left them a note before leaving, but they
may/might not have noticed it.
A: I can’t find my umbrella.
B: You could/may/might have left it on the
bus.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

! Caution!

 She might forget to bring her homework to

class yesterday.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• We can also use could/might + have + past participle

(but not may) to say that something was possible in the
past but did not happen.

A: I forgot to lock the door when I left.

B: You were lucky. Someone could/might
have broken into your house.

You shouldn’t have left your homework on the

table. Your baby brother might have drawn on
it.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
22.4 Should and ought to
• We can also use should and ought to to talk about
possibilities when we have strong reason to believe or
expect that something is likely to happen.
He seldom goes out in the evenings. He should
be home now.
They sit together in class. They ought to know
each other well.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• We use should/ought to + have + past participle to

talk about what seems likely to have happened in the past.
They left an hour ago. They should have got
home by now.
You were at the swimming gala yesterday. You
ought to have seen Jodie and her sister. They
were there, too.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
22.5 Using must and can’t to make deductions
• We use must when we feel very sure that something is
true.
You have lived here for years. You must know
the neighbourhood very well.
You’ve been working night and day. You must
be exhausted.
• The negative of must when making deductions is can’t.
You’ve just had lunch. You can’t be hungry
already.
His father can’t have a car. They always use
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

• After must and can’t, we can use be + -ing.

You can’t be serious. You must be joking.
It’s not eleven yet. They can’t be having lunch
yet.
• For deductions about the past, we use must/can’t have
+ past participle.
The ground is wet. It must have rained last
night.
The ground is dry. It can’t have rained last
night.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
Grammar Practice
Complete the sentences using the correct form of the
words/phrases in the box. Use each word/phrase ONCE
only. The first one has been done for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

1 It’s not usually very cold here in winter, but sometimes the
fall
temperature can _______________ below 10ºC.

2 ‘Who’s that with Kate?’ ‘I’m not sure. It might

be
________________ her brother.’

3 have gone
John isn’t at home. He may ________________ to football
practice.

4 have heard
Nobody answered the door. They might not _______________
the doorbell.

OPTIONS
OPTIONS P.223
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

5 ‘Do elephants have a long lifespan?’ ‘Oh, yes, they can

live
_______________ to be 70 years old.’

6 be working
I’ll try and call Derek. He may not ____________________
in the library today.

7 You’d better check whether she’s still in. She might

have gone out
_____________________ .

8 ‘Shall I get this book for Lily?’ ‘You’d better check with her
have read
first. She may _________________ it already.’

OPTIONS
OPTIONS P.223
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

9 be listening to
‘Where’s your sister?’ ‘She might __________________
her CDs in her room.’

have known
10 ‘Was Sally at the meeting?’ ‘No. She may not _____________
about it.’

OPTIONS
OPTIONS P.223
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Rewrite the sentences using the verbs in brackets. The first

one has been done for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

1 Perhaps she knows his mobile phone number. (may)

She may know his mobile phone number.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

2 Perhaps Gary wants to join us. (may)

Gary may want to join us.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

3 It’s likely that they’re having lunch now. (could)

They could be having lunch now.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

4 Perhaps he doesn’t want to see you. (may)

He may not want to see you.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

5 The shopping mall is busy at weekends. (can)

The shopping mall can be busy at weekends.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

6 Perhaps he forgot to tell her. (might)

He might’ve/might have forgotten to tell her.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

7 It’s possible that they are swimming. (could)

They could be swimming./They could’ve gone

_______________________________________________
swimming.
_______________________________________________

8 Perhaps they haven’t received the concert tickets yet.

(might)

They mightn’t/might not have received the

_______________________________________________
concert tickets yet.
_______________________________________________

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

9 There’s a chance that she forgot all about it. (could)

You could’ve/could have forgotten all about it.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

10 Perhaps he does not like documentaries. (might)

He mightn’t/might not like documentaries.

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Complete the sentences using your own words. The first one
has been done for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

1 know
She’s no longer a child. She should ______________ how
to take care of herself.

2 be
I wonder where Tom is. He should ______________ here
by now.

3 have returned
It’s Monday. They ought to ____________________
from their trip to Macau.

4 pass
She ought to ______________ all her exams. She’s revised
so hard for them.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

5 have
I wonder what’s keeping them. They should ____________
arrived/be here
____________________ by now.

6 receive/get
You should _______________ an email from me by lunchtime.

7 ‘How long will it take me to get to the ferry pier?’ ‘It shouldn’t
take
_______________ you long. It isn’t very far from here.’

8 have got
She looks delighted. She must _______________ some very
good news.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

9 have arrived
Her flight has been delayed. It should _________________
half
an hour ago.
go for
10 It’s a beautiful day. We ought to _________________ a
walk at the beach.
(Note: accept all reasonable answers)

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Complete the short dialogues using must/can’t/couldn’t + (an)

appropriate word(s) of your own. The first one has been done
for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

1 A: I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.

B: must be hungry
You _______________________ .

2 A: Do you think Ana is still in bed?

B: can’t/couldn’t be
No, she ____________________________ . She’s an
early riser.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

3 A: Jack speaks Cantonese well.

B: must have lived

Yes, he _______________________________ in Hong
Kong for years.

4 A: Is Ron going to the concert alone?

B: can’t/couldn’t be
He bought two tickets, so he ____________________

going
__________ can/could
by himself, _____________________ he?

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

5 A: Chris said he stayed at home yesterday evening.

couldn’t/can’t have
B: been at home
He _______________________ . I called at his
flat, but nobody answered the door.

6 A: What’s your brother doing in his room?

B: must be listening to some new songs. He

He _______________________
downloaded a selection this afternoon.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

7 A: He said he was at Paul’s this morning.

B: couldn’t/can’t have been (there) . He was

He __________________________________
with me all morning.

8 A: Who do you think Linda’s waiting for? Derek?

B: can’t/couldn’t be waiting for Derek. He’s

She _______________________________
out of town.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

9 A: Jack saw you at the cinema last night.

B: couldn’t/can’t have seen me there. I was

He ____________________________
must have mistaken
at home last night. He _________________________
me for somebody else.

10 A: Somebody’s left their assignment here.

B: must belong to
It ___________________________ Sara. She was here
a few minutes ago, looking for it.

(Note: accept all reasonable answers)

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

The underlined verbs in some of the sentences are not in the

correct form. Write the correct form in the spaces provided. If
there is no mistake, put a tick () in the space. The first two
have been done for you as examples.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

1 It couldn’t be Mr Chan that you saw have been

(1) ____________

driving the car. He doesn’t know how to

drive.

2 I think I’ll stay home for now. Lucy might 

(2) ____________

call today.

3 I haven’t seen your brother for years. He have

(3) ____________

must be finished school by now.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
have
4 I called directory enquiries, but they said changed
(4) ____________

the number wasn’t registered. He must

change his number.

5 This train is always on time. It will be

(5) ____________

have been here in a minute.

6 Hurry up, Tom. Fred will think we’re not 

(6) ____________

coming!

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

7 If it hadn’t been for her teachers, Sue might (7) have applied
____________
not apply for university.

8 My brother is out, but he should have be

(8) ____________

been home for dinner. Why not call again

after seven?

9 He has experience and is well qualified. 

(9) ____________

He ought to have no problems finding a

job.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

10 You have travelled a lot. You must be to have been

(10) ____________

many fascinating places.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
Language Practice
Read the news report, and then fill in each blank in the
dialogue with NO MORE THAN FOUR words. The first one
has been done for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

H eavy rain lashed Hong Kong last night, resulting in 78

reports of flooding and 21 landslides. In Yuen Long, a terrified
woman and her dog had to be rescued by firefighters after a wall
of her house collapsed. In Tsz Wan Shan, five people were
evacuated after mud and rocks slid down a slope behind Tze
Chung Estate.
This morning, the Observatory forecast that an active
southwesterly airstream would continue to bring rainy weather to
the South China Coast in the coming week.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Cora Such heavy rain! I suppose it (1) will/could

(1) ____________

continue for another day or two.

would/could
/may/might/
Derek At least! The weather forecast said is going to/
will
(2) ____________
that the rainy weather (2) last for a
week because of the airstream.

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.227
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Cora That’s annoying! Chris and I had

planned to go to Repulse Bay for
sunbathing this weekend, but now
have to/
we will (3) call it off. I (4) just stay need to
(3) ____________

home and read a bit. had better/

might/may
(4) ____________

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.227
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction
don’t/won’t
Derek No, you (5) stay cooped up in your (5) ____________
have to
room. You (6) go to Amy’s flat could/can
(6) ____________

downstairs. As for me, I (7) probably will/would

(7) ____________
needn’t/don’t
stay at home and sleep all day. need to/
mustn’t/
Cora Derek, you really (8) be so unhappy. shouldn’t
(8) ____________
You (9) always go see your girlfriend. could/can
(9) ____________
She’s just lives a block away from
your flat.

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.227
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Derek You (10) be kidding … We had a must

(10) ____________

serious fight yesterday and she still

to answer/
refuses (11) my calls and my messages. to return
(11) ____________

Cora What have you done, Derek? She

(12) be really mad at you! must
(12) ____________

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.227
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Derek Look, I really don’t want to talk

about it right now. (13) change the Let’s
(13) ____________

subject. Angel called to tell me that

she and her family had a narrow
escape last night.

Cora Really? What happened?

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.228
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Derek She said that during last night’s might have

been/could
downpour, mud and rocks slid down have been/
would have
a slope behind her village. They (14) been
(14) ____________

buried if the firefighters hadn’t come

to rescue them.
must have
Cora Were they all right? They (15) been
(15) ____________

terrified.

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.228
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Derek Fortunately, nobody was injured, but

all the villagers had to be evacuated.

Cora Do Angel and her family have a

place to stay?

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.228
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Derek Angel told me they had moved to her

uncle’s place temporarily. I guess
they (16) be settled in by now. The should
(16) ____________

mud and rocks are being removed

and (17) be gone in a few days. should/will
(17) ____________

(Note: accept all reasonable answers)

NEWS
NEWS REPORT
REPORT P.228
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Complete the dialogues by choosing the correct answers.

The first one has been done for you as an example.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

20 Jan

Emma I’ve called David a few times but no one answered.

Colin He (1) ( could have been / could be / would be / will be )

out of town. I remember him saying that he (2) ( might
go / may have gone / may not have gone / might not go )
on a trip this month, but he (3) ( didn’t book / hasn’t
booked / hadn’t booked / had booked ) anything yet at
the time.
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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Did he? I didn’t know that. I (4) ( needn’t know / needn’t
have known / need to know / know ) if he wants to come
to the dinner party so that I can confirm with the
restaurant how many guests (5) ( are there / would be
there / will there be / there will be ).

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Colin I guess one or two extra guests (6) ( shouldn’t be /

should be / should have been / shouldn’t have been ) a
problem for them. Anyway he (7) ( shouldn’t be /
should be / should have been / shouldn’t have been )
back soon because Daniel’s wedding is next Friday and
we are the groomsmen.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Oh yes. I’d forgotten about Daniel’s wedding. Perhaps

I’ll just tell the restaurant there (8) ( should be / must be
/ may be / might have been ) one or two extra guests,
and call David again later. Actually I can’t believe he
still doesn’t have a mobile phone. Otherwise I (9) ( may
/ might / can / could ) text him right now.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Colin Trust me. Even if he had a mobile phone, he (10)

( won’t take / wouldn’t take / wouldn’t have taken /
couldn’t take ) it with him.

Emma You’re right.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

30 Jan

Emma I still can’t reach David.

Colin He (11) ( should be / can’t be / may be / could be ) back

by now. Tomorrow is Daniel’s wedding.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Speak of the devil! David’s calling … Hello, David!

Where have you been? I (12) ( call / called / will call /
have been calling ) you a few times but no one
answered. We thought you (13) ( may be / might be /
can be / will be ) out of town.

David Hi, Emma. I’m sorry. I went to Europe for two weeks
and just got back yesterday.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Europe? Wow! It (14) ( was / has been / must be / must

have been ) cold there.

David Yes, it was, especially Finland. I (15) ( wouldn’t brave /

might not brave / wouldn’t have braved / won’t have
braved ) the cold if it hadn’t been for the aurora, which
was really beautiful.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Glad to hear that. Did you go only to Finland?

David No. I also went to Britain, France and the Netherlands.

I (16) ( could have stopped / could stop / should have
stopped / must stop ) in Belgium en route from
Amsterdam to Paris but I didn’t. I (17) ( go / may go /
may not go / would not go ) there on my next visit.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma You had a wonderful time, (18) ( do you / haven’t you /

hadn’t you / didn’t you )?

David I did. The weather was nice throughout the trip. In fact
it (19) ( may not be / might not be / shouldn’t have been
/ couldn’t have been ) better. I visited a lot of beautiful
places and enjoyed the local food.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Fabulous. Hey, will you join us for a dinner party next
Sunday? It’ll be held at Jamie’s Kitchen. Amy and
Oscar, Colin and I, and Woody’s family will be there.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

David Sure. Please count me in. Emily (20) ( may be interested

/ may interest / might have been interested / may have
been interested ) in joining us as well. I remember her
telling me that she wanted to try that restaurant. Can I
bring her along? But I have to check if she’s available
on that day.

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 Possibility, probability
Unit 22 & deduction

Emma Why not? But please let me know as soon as possible,

as I need to tell the restaurant about it.

David Will do.

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