LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
GRAMMAR POINT: MODALS of DEDUCTION
Check through the different uses.
TYPE
USE
MODAL VERBS
EXAMPLE
1
to express possibilities for the future
MAY, MIGHT, COULD
It may rain tomorrow.
2
to express certainty
CAN'T,, MUST
She can't be Irish.
3
for possible explanations
She could be Scottish.
A- Look at the following phrases and write in which type you think they are. Then use one of the modal verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.
_______
They (may/must)________________ be away for the weekend but I'm not sure.
He (can/could)________________ be French, judging by his accent.
They (can't/may)________________ still be out!
4
With luck, tomorrow (can't/could)________________ be a sunny day.
5
You (can/might)________________ be right but I'm going to check anyway.
6
The exam (can't/might)________________ be easy. You never know.
7
Dave thinks she's from France but I think she (can't/might)________________ be from Scandinavia.
8
I (can't/might)________________ go to the party but I'm not sure yet.
9
This (must/could)________________ be the right answer but we'll have to check with your teacher to make sure.
10
She (can't/could)________________ steal things from shops. She's rich and famous.
11
She's been revising 10 hours a day for 3 weeks. She (could/must)________________ be exhausted.
12
Nobody's answering. They (can't/must)________________ be out.
13
He (can't/may)________________ be from the USA. He doesn't speak English.
B- For each sentence, choose between "can't, might or must" to fill each space.
1. Your mother __________ be a great cook. You are always so keen to get back home to eat!
2. I don't know why I am so tired these days. I __________ be working too hard. Or maybe I am not sleeping too well.
3. You seem to know everything about the theatre. You __________ go every week.
4. To give the promotion to Harold was silly. He __________ know much about this company after only a year working here.
5. Go and look in the kitchen for your gloves. They __________ be there.
6. Oh, the phone is ringing. Answer it. It __________ be Kate. She always rings at this time.
7. Dan has been drinking that whiskey since early this afternoon. He __________ be totally drunk by now.
8. That couple __________ think much of this film. They're leaving already - after only 20 minutes!
C- Rewrite the following sentences without a change in meaning.
1. It is possible that the phone is out of order. (might)
2. I am sure he has heard the news. (must)
3. I am sure Tom did not steal the money. (can)
4. I am sure she is at home. Her light is on. (must)
5. Perhaps there has been an accident. (might)
6.It is impossible that you wrote this composition by yourself. (can)
