must modal verb drawing conclusions exercises

They are used to indicate modality and allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability List of modal verbs.

They are always followed by an infinitive without 'to' (e.i.

Here are some characteristics of modal verbs: They have a great variety of communicative functions. They are different from normal verbs like 'work, play, visit.' They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. For example, 'You could try calling him to see if he's available.Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs that behave irregularly in English. In some cases, they may be used to express a suggestion or a recommendation. Note that these modal verbs can have other uses too.

It can't have been the fish that made him sick.

He can't have heard the phone otherwise he'd have answered it.

We use CAN'T (CANNOT) when we have strong evidence and we are certain that something is NOT true. She may not have finished work yet.Īnd we use COULD when we're a bit less certain.

Where are my keys? You might have left them in the shop.

That may be the phone call I'm expecting.

She might be interested in this job offer. Note that the possibility can also be negative - might not, may not. We use MIGHT/MAY when we have some evidence and we think something is possible but we’re not certain.

You must be tired after such a long drive.

We use MUST when we have strong evidence and we are certain that something is true. The basic structure for deduction about the past is: subject The basic structure for deduction about the present is: subject It can't be going to snow (because it never snows in Thailand).It might/may/could be going to rain (because there is a large grey cloud in the sky).He must be a policeman (because he's wearing a police uniform).Modal verbs of deduction express certainty like this: modal verb of deduction The usual modal verbs that express deduction are:ĭeduction has degrees of certainty, say from 99% to 30%. To make a deduction, we need facts and evidence (the uniform, the cloud). If we see a large grey cloud in the sky, a possible guess is that it is going to rain-maybe. If we see a man in police uniform, a reasonable deduction is that he is a policeman. Deduction (noun): guess reaching a conclusion by reasoning and logic, based on evidence

Must modal verb drawing conclusions exercises