Modals of speculation
- 1. TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE THE PAST MODALS OF SPECULATION
- 2. MODALS OF SPECULATION TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE
- 3. TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE MUST MAY MIGHT COULD CAN’T + INFINITIVE
- 4. MUST We use it to express that something is certain or highly probable . If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C… … then A must be bigger than C. Mary keeps crying – she must have a problem.
- 5. She must be tired
- 6. He must be angry
- 7. CAN’T We use it to express that something is certainly not the case or highly improbable . It can’t be the postman at the door. It’s only seven o’clock. She can’t have a 10-year-old daughter! She’s only 24!
- 8. He can’t be poor
- 9. MAY vs MIGHT We use them when there is a possibility of it happening. I may go to Edinburgh tomorrow (Perhaps a 50% chance) Peter might come with me (Perhaps a 30% chance. It is possible but not very likely to happen)
- 10. MODALS OF SPECULATION TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS NOW
- 11. TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS NOW MUST MAY MIGHT COULD CAN’T + BE + - ING
- 12. TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT ACTIONS IN PROGRESS NOW Do you know where Ben is? I don’t know, he may_____________ to music in his room. Have you seen the newspaper? I think James picket it up. He may _________ it. be listening be reading
- 13. They must be gossiping
- 14. He must be sleeping
- 15. MODALS OF SPECULATION TO MAKE GUESSES ABOUT THE PAST
- 16. TO MAKE GUESSES OR TO SPECULATE ABOUT THE PAST MUST MAY MIGHT COULD CAN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
- 17. MAKE GUESSES OR SPECULATE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SITUATION He must have won the race
- 18. MAKE GUESSES OR SPECULATE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SITUATION They must have lost the match
- 19. MAKE GUESSES OR SPECULATE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SITUATION They may have hit the jackpot
- 20. She may have lost her keys
- 21. She must have put on weight
- 22. They must be having a row