Modals of deduction

(Present and past)

 Modals of deduction (present)

Sometimes we express an opinion about whether something is

true or not now, based on what we know or see.
We use modal verbs must/can't/might/may/could.
The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the
possibility. 
1. When we're sure that something is true, we often use must + verb.

     This must be her house. I can see her car in the garage.
     She must study very hard because she gets really good marks. 
     You have been working all day. You must be very tired.

2. When we're sure that something isn't true, we often use can't + verb.

     You have been sleeping all day. You can't be tired.

     They can't be poor because they have an incredible house and four cars.
     She can't study very hard because she gets really bad marks.

3. When we aren't sure, we often use might or could + verb, to show our uncertainty. 

    She might go to the party tomorrow if you ask her. 

    He's not answering. He could be in class.
    She's not here yet. She might be stuck in traffic.
 Modals of deduction (past)
• Sometimes we express an opinion about a past situation or
event, based on what we know or can see now.
• We use the modal verbs must/can't/might/may/could/couldn't
+ have + past participle.
1.We use must have + past participle when we feel sure about what happened.
    
    The thief must have had a key. The door was locked and nothing was broken.
    Something must have happened to Mike, he is not in his office.
    (This means that Mike is always on time for work – this is my evidence)
    Oh, good! We've got milk. Mo must have bought some yesterday.

2. We use can't have and couldn't have + past participle when we think it's not possible that
something happened.

      She can't have driven there. Her car keys are still here.
      I thought I saw Adnan this morning but it couldn't have been him – he's in Greece this week.
      Sheila can't have drunk any beer last night. She's an alcoholic in recovery.

3.We can use could/might /may have + past participle when we think it's possible that
something happened. 
        I think I might have left the air conditioning on. Please can you check?
        Police think the suspect may have left the country using a fake passport.
        Dana's house could have been damaged.

   
 Should(n't) have
• We use should/shouldn't have+ past participle to criticise things that we,
or other people, did in the past.
• You should have come to the party. (You didn't come to the party, and I
think that was a mistake.)
• You should have won. (They didn’t win, and I think that was bad/wrong.)
• You shouldn't have taken it without asking me. (You took it without
asking me, and that was wrong.)
The 'opposite' of must is can't

When using modal auxiliary verbs for deductions, the opposites of

must and must have are can't and can't have, not mustn't and mustn't
have.
Similarly, we don't use can or can have for making deductions.