The document discusses the use of modal verbs to express speculation and possibility about present and past events. It provides examples of how modal verbs like must, might, may, could, can't are used with the infinitive or have + past participle to talk about what is strongly believed, possible, or not possible in the present or deductions made about the past. It also includes examples of modal verbs used with be + -ing to express ongoing activities and revisions made.

1. PRESENT AND
PAST
SPECULATION
MODAL VERBS

2. PRESENT PAST
MODAL +
INFINITIVE
MODAL +
HAVE +
PAST
PARTICIPLE

3. MUST
• To express a strong belief
that something is true
• E.g. John MUST BE happy to
see us . (present)
• John MUST HAVE LOST his
mobile phone.( Past)

4. MIGHT, MAY , COULD
• When we think that it is possible
that something is true
• E.g. The lions
MIGHT/MAY/COULD BE hungry
now. (present)
• E.g. Lucy MIGHT/MAY/COULD
HAVE MISSED the train. (past

5. CAN`T
• When we have a strong belief that
something is not true.
• E.g. It CAN`T BE a domestic cat.
It`s too big. (present)
• E.g. Peter CAN`T HAVE LEFT.
His car is outside his house. (past)

6. WE USE
MODAL + BE+V-ING
TO SHOW THAT SOMETHING
IS POSSIBLE IN PRESENT BUT
NOT CERTAIN.
e.g. Mary MIGHT BE WORKING
at home today. (Perhaps she is
working at home , I`m not sure.)

7. WE USE MODAL + HAVE BEEN +
V-ING
TO MAKE LOGICAL
DEDUCTIONS ABOUT AN
ACTIVITY IN PROGRESS IN
THE PAST.
e.g. He passed an exam easily. He
MUST HAVE BEEN REVISING
for weeks.

10. 1 There's no reply.
He__________ be out.
1. can
2. must
3. can't
4. mustn't
MUST

11. 2 I've got no idea where she is.
Try the library.
She____________ be in there.
1. might
2. can't
3. must
4. will
MIGHT

12. 3 You ________________
left it in the office, I suppose.
1. could have
2. might have
3. must have
4. I and 2 are both possible
I and 2 are both possible

13. 4 They _____________ got in
through the window - it's on
the 21st floor!
1. can have
2. must have
3. can't have
4. might have
CAN`T HAVE

14. 5 Judging by the present evidence,
we think he ________________
used a disguise.
1. might have
2. probably
3. might
4. 1 and 2 are both possible
1 and 2 are both possible

15. 6 They _____________ got there
already. They only left ten minutes
ago.
1. can't
2. must
3. must have
4. can't have
CAN`T have