Present Modals for Deduction

Present Modals for DeductionThere are 10 questions in this quiz.. Choose the correct answer.. Hide explanation Modals for Deduction Use and Form: The following modals can be used to mak

Present Modals for Deduction

There are 10 questions in this quiz Choose the correct answer.

1 Which sentence is correct?

My purse isn’t in my pocket It…

must be in my bag

must in my bag

mustn’t be in my bag

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Modals for Deduction

Use and Form:

The following modals can be used to make guesses about a present situation.

must + infinitive

Use this when you make a guess and you are almost certain that your guess is correct.

‘Where’s John?’

‘He’s not here He must be in the bathroom.’

may + infinitive

might + infinitive

could + infinitive

Use this when you make a guess but you are only suggesting one possibility You are not

certain you are correct.

‘Where’s John?’

‘He’s not here He may be in the bathroom, or he might be in the kitchen, or he could

beoutside.’

may not + infinitive

might not + infinitive

Use this when you make a guess about what is not true, but you are only suggesting one

possibility You are not certain you are correct.

‘Where’s John?’

‘He’s not here He may not be at work today.’

NOTE: Do not use could not here.

can’t + infinitive

Use this when you make a guess about what is not true, and you are almost certain that your

guess is correct

‘Where’s John? Is he in the kitchen?’

‘No, he can’t be I was in there a minute ago.’

NOTE: you cannot use: mustn’t + infinitive to make deductions about what is not true.

Common Mistakes:

1 Many students do not take the opportunity to use these structures when they can

Maybe your bag is in the classroom => Your bag might be in the classroom.