The document discusses the use of modal verbs in English. It provides examples of how must, might, can't, should are used to indicate obligation, deduction, permission, advice. It also discusses how modal verbs like must have, might have, can't have are used to make deductions about past actions or events. Finally, it provides some examples of situations where should/shouldn't could be used.

1. Past modals

2. What are the modal verbs being used
for?
• 1 a You must go to the doctor’s.
• b He must be the doctor- he’s wearing a white coat.
• 2 a You can’t park there.
• b She can’t be his wife, she’s too young.
• 3 a I might see a film tonight.
• b He’s not in class today- he might be ill.
• 4 a You should drink less coffee.
• b I don’t think people should drive 4x4s.

3. What are the modal verbs being used
for?
• 1 a You must go to the doctor’s. →Obligation=You have to
• b He must be the doctor- he’s wearing a white coat.
→Deduction=I’m sure it’s true
• 2 a You can’t park there. →Permission=You’re not allowed to
• b She can’t be his wife, she’s too young. →Deduction=I’m sure it’s
not true
• 3 a I might see a film tonight. →Possible intention=Perhaps I’ll go
• b He’s not in class today- he might be ill. →Deduction=I think it’s a
possibility
• 4 a You should drink less coffee. →Advice=It would be a good idea
• b I don’t think people should drive 4x4s. →Opinion=I don’t think
it’s right

4. DEDUCTION
• →Deduction=I’m sure it’s true
– MUST
• → Deduction=I think it’s a possibility
– MIGHT or MAY
• →Deduction=I’m sure it’s not true
– CAN’T

5. ADVICE
• →Advice=It would be a good idea
– SHOULD

6. DEDUCTION ABOUT THE
PAST
Grammar

7. • I can’t see the car here. (park it in this street)
• I can’t have parked it in this street.
• Their plates are clean! (enjoy the meal). They…
• They must have enjoyed the meal.
• Jackie didn’t answer the email. (turn her computer off).
She…
• She might have turned her computer off.
• Where’s my voting card? It’s not where I left it. (move it).
You…
• You must have moved it.
• The kitchen floor still looks so dirty. (clean it). You…
• You can’t have cleaned it.
• The chicken for tonight’s dinner has disappeared! (eat it).
The dog…
• The dog must have eaten it.

8. Should/Shouldn’t
• I’m very hungry.
• I should have had breakfast.
1. It’s raining.
2. My plants have died.
3. Peter’s late for the appointment.
4. The printer’s broken.
5. I can’t play the piano.
6. Our children’s school is a long way from our house.
7. My eyes are tired.
8. I cut my finger on the broken glass.
9. This month’s phone bill was enormous.
10.The theatre was full of noisy school children.