2. SPECULATING, DEDUCING
In English, we use modal verbs
to speculate or deduce
information we are not really
sure it is true.
Modal verbs to speculate are:
must, may, might, could, can’t.
3. They show different degrees of certainty
Depending on how sure we are about the information, we’ll
use different verbs:
Almost 100% sure it is possible: MUST
She must be married. She’s wearing a ring.
Almost 100% it is impossible: CAN’T (not mustn’t!)
They can’t be playing well. They’re losing 0-3!
Not really sure it is true (50%-70%): MAY, MIGHT, COULD
She may like the scarf, it’s beautiful.
4. If we are talking about things that were (or not) be
possible in the past, we use:
MODAL VERB + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (main
verb)
She must have seen us. We were standing in front of
her (100 % possible)
I can’t have left my mobile at home. I called my mum
10 minutes ago. (100% impossible)
She may / might/ could not heard the message. I’ll call
her again.
5. What may have happened?
He must have…
He may have…
He might have…
He could have…
He can’t have…
