Modals of deduction: must, can´t, might/may/could
Imagen relacionada

Function
  • We use can´t to say that it´s impossible that something is true.
  • We use must to say that we are sure that something is true.
  • We use might/could/may to say that something is possibly true.

Resultado de imagen para modals of deduction

Examples
  • That woman can´t be Jessica. She´s blond and Jessica has dark hair.
  • It must be after 8 p.m. look! It´s dark outside.
  • There might be a storm later. The sky is very cloudy.
Resultado de imagen para modals of deduction

Watch out
It might be the last one (Right).
It could be the last one (Right).
It can be the last one (Wrong).

Practice
Read the first sentence in each pair. Write an appropriate modal to complete the second sentence.
  • You´re expecting Nicole to call.

        The phone rings.
        That must be Nicole.
  • You are certain the answer isn´t D.

        The answer can´t be D.
  • It´s possible your cell phone is at home.

        My cell phone could be at home.
  • You don´t think it´s possible that John is sick.

        John can´t be sick.
  • You are sure this is Emma´s house.

        Emma must live here.
  • It´s the middle of summer. You don´t believe it when someone says it´s snowing.

        It can´t be snowing!

More practice
Complete the conversation with must, can´t or might/may/could.
Andy: I can´t finish this crossword puzzle. I have one more word left. Do you know a country with a five-letter name?
Kelly: There must be hundreds! It could be “China”.
Andy: No, it can´t be “China” because it begins with the letter I.
Kelly: Why didn´t you say that? Well, it can´t be “Iran”. That only has four letters. It might be “Italy”.
Andy: No. it can´t be Italy because it ends with the letter a.
Kelly: Oh! It must be “India” then.

Andy: Awesome! Thanks. 

Resultado de imagen para modals of deduction ejemplo de oraciones

Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

Imagen
Relative clauses Function: We use relative clauses to give more information about a person, thing, time or place. Relative pronouns: Who. When. Where. Which/That.                                      Examples: I thanked the person who found my wallet this morning on the subway. The best time to call him is when he finishes his meeting at 10:30 a.m. The Blue Lounge was the place where I used to meet my friends. I found out that the data which I had worked really hard on was completely wrong! I think it was a trip to Paris that made me want to learn French.                               Watch out! The report that it has all the information is on your desk (Wrong). The report that has all the information is on your desk (Right). The man which donated a lot of money is a billionaire (Wrong). The man who donated a lot of money is a billionaire (Right). Practice Rewrite the sentences to include relative clauses about the u
Leer más
Imagen
Wish and if only for regrets Form: Subject + wish + past perfect If only + subject + past perfect Function: We use wish/if only + past perfect to talk about things we would like to change about the past.                                Examples: I wish I had learned to play a musical instrument when I was younger. I wish I had been more adventurous. I definitely wish I hadn´t smoked. If only I had changed careers years ago.                          Watch out!! I wish I hadn´t broken my leg when I was a teenager (Right). I wish I didn´t break my leg when I was a teenager (Wrong). If only I hadn´t left my job (Right). If only a haven´t left my job (Wrong). Practice Complete the second sentence using the words in parentheses so that it means the same as the first. My doctor gave me good advice. I didn´t listen. (Wish). I wish I had listened to my doctor´s advice. Terri wanted to go to college, but she didn´t go (wishes).
Leer más