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MODALS OF DEDUCTION |
Focused on modals of DEDUCTION – must, can't, might, may, could and should.
Modals of deduction are used to express degrees of certainty. In other words, they describe a fact or situation that is definite, probable, possible or impossible.
Modals of deduction are used to express degrees of certainty. In other words, they describe a fact or situation that is definite, probable, possible or impossible.
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To speculate about PRESENT situations or facts
modal verb + V |
To speculate about PAST situations or facts
modal verb + have Ved (V3) |
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Exercises |
1. Text. practise must, can't in present
Dear Stella.
I was so happy to get your letter yesterday. We all really enjoy reading your letters, especially Grandma. I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying the Language course and everything is going well. How are you finding the food? Dad is worried that you are only eating pizzas and hamburgers but I told him that you can probably get all kinds of different food there. I hope you are not feeling homesick - I’m sure you’ll get used to being away soon.
It must be very strange living in such a large city - very different from home. I don’t think I could bear all the noise but you are young and it must be exciting for you. You didn’t say anything about Mr and Mrs Colin or the house. Are you the only one staying there? Mrs Colin sounded very nice on the phone when I called you last week. Tell us more about them when you write again.
Have you made many new friends yet? You mentioned Adam in your letter. He sounds very nice. Dad and I are both looking forward to meeting him and Grandma is already thinking of knitting baby clothes! I told her you were a bit young for that!
Well, darling, that’s about it for now. Remember, you can call us any time. Just reverse the charges if you need to, but remember the time difference! We’re all looking forward to seeing you at Christmas. Dad and Grandma both send their love.
Lots of Love
I was so happy to get your letter yesterday. We all really enjoy reading your letters, especially Grandma. I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying the Language course and everything is going well. How are you finding the food? Dad is worried that you are only eating pizzas and hamburgers but I told him that you can probably get all kinds of different food there. I hope you are not feeling homesick - I’m sure you’ll get used to being away soon.
It must be very strange living in such a large city - very different from home. I don’t think I could bear all the noise but you are young and it must be exciting for you. You didn’t say anything about Mr and Mrs Colin or the house. Are you the only one staying there? Mrs Colin sounded very nice on the phone when I called you last week. Tell us more about them when you write again.
Have you made many new friends yet? You mentioned Adam in your letter. He sounds very nice. Dad and I are both looking forward to meeting him and Grandma is already thinking of knitting baby clothes! I told her you were a bit young for that!
Well, darling, that’s about it for now. Remember, you can call us any time. Just reverse the charges if you need to, but remember the time difference! We’re all looking forward to seeing you at Christmas. Dad and Grandma both send their love.
Lots of Love
Choose one of the following to speculate about Stella:
- you are very sure this is true = MUST
- you are very sure this is untrue - it isn’t possible = CAN’T
A) Stella is away from home. Stella MUST be away from home.
B) Stella is a baby. Stella CAN’T be a baby.
1 The writer is Stella’s mother. ______________________________________________
2 The writer is Stella’s sister. ______________________________________________
3 Stella’s first language is English. ___________________________________________
4 Stella likes pizzas and hamburgers. ________________________________________
5 Stella is studying away from home. ________________________________________
6 Stella is studying in a small village. ________________________________________
7 Stella is studying in America. _____________________________________________
8 Mrs. Colin is one of Stella’s classmates. ____________________________________
9 Mrs Colin is Stella’s mother. _______________________________________________
10 Adam lives with Stella. ____________________________________________________
11 Adam is Stella’s boyfriend. _______________________________________________
12 Stella’s is coming home for Christmas. _____________________________________
- you are very sure this is true = MUST
- you are very sure this is untrue - it isn’t possible = CAN’T
A) Stella is away from home. Stella MUST be away from home.
B) Stella is a baby. Stella CAN’T be a baby.
1 The writer is Stella’s mother. ______________________________________________
2 The writer is Stella’s sister. ______________________________________________
3 Stella’s first language is English. ___________________________________________
4 Stella likes pizzas and hamburgers. ________________________________________
5 Stella is studying away from home. ________________________________________
6 Stella is studying in a small village. ________________________________________
7 Stella is studying in America. _____________________________________________
8 Mrs. Colin is one of Stella’s classmates. ____________________________________
9 Mrs Colin is Stella’s mother. _______________________________________________
10 Adam lives with Stella. ____________________________________________________
11 Adam is Stella’s boyfriend. _______________________________________________
12 Stella’s is coming home for Christmas. _____________________________________
2)
3)