openMind Level 3

Unit 7 Grammar 1
MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T,
MIGHT/MAY/COULD
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD
1. Which speaker thinks John is not at work?
2. Does the other speaker agree?
3. Can you notice an error?

A: Where's John?

C: He mustn’t
B: He might be be. I saw him
taking the day off. earlier.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

He must be That can't be Answer the

here. I saw true. There's phone. It might
him earlier. no evidence. be John.

You may have The answer could be

a point. something else.

1. Which two sentences express certainty? (The other

sentences are about things the speaker thinks are
possible.)
2. What verb forms follow the modal verbs?
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

Other examples using modals of deduction:

• That can't be Peter. He has black hair and Peter's

blond.
• You must be the new designer. Nice to meet you.
• It might rain. Look at those clouds.
• That could work. Send me your plan.
• There may be some problems with the new car.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

You may have The answer could be

a point. something else.

Answer the phone.

It might be John.

We use may, could, and might to say that

something is definitely/possibly true.
The verb that follows these modal verbs is always in
the _____
base form.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

Pattern Examples
I'm sure it's right. The answer
must be B.
_________
can't be
He ____________ on vacation.
I saw him the other day.
subject +
He isn't answering his phone. He
modal + base might be busy.
___________
form
I ________
could be available. Let me check
my schedule.
may have time to see you later
She __________
today.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

a. That can't be Steve. He has brown hair.

b. It must be very late. It's really dark outside.

c. It could be raining. Look at those clouds.

1. We use this modal verb to say we're sure

something is true. b
2. We use this modal verb to say that it's impossible
that something is true. a
3. We use this modal verb to say that something is
possibly true. c
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD
Complete the second sentence so it means the same.
1. You are sure that the answer is F.
must be F
The answer __________.

2. It's possible that you left your bag at home.

might be at home
My bag _________________.

3. You don't think it's possible Sarah is sick.

Sarah can't be sick
__________________.

4. You are expecting John. The doorbell rings.

That must be John
__________________at the door.
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

Work in pairs. Decide what comes next in each

sequence.

1. a, d, g, j, ...

2. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...

3. 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, ...

4. F, A, J, A, O, ...
 MODALS OF DEDUCTION:
MUST, CAN’T, MIGHT/MAY/COULD

Grammar wrap-up

1. What verb form follows modal verbs like must,

can't and could?

2. In which contexts are these modal verbs most

likely to be used?

3. What is the difference between the way we use

must and can't?