Deduction
Modal Verbs
MUST + INFINITIVE (very very possible) 90%
● He must be American.
● They must be hungry. They have been working all day.
● You must be so happy!
● She looks so young! She must be only 15.
Must can’t be negative in this context. It would sound like a prohibition.
● We must not take pictures during the zoom meeting.
If we said: “He must not be American.” The meaning sounds like it is wrong for him to
be American.
Use CAN’T for the negative of must. Very very impossible
● It can’t be snowing. It’s August.
● Is that Danny? -It can’t be him. He’s in the States.
● She can’t be 20! She looks so young.
● It can’t be a coincidence!
In the PAST: MUST/COULDN’T + have + participle
*CAN’T in the past tense is only in British English.
● I must have been tired last night. I don’t remember much of the movie we
watched.
● She couldn’t have gone far.
● They couldn’t have left, yet. Their car is still here.
Add must, can’t or couldn’t
1. You’ve been travelling all day. You must be tired.
2. That restaurant _________ be very good. It’s always full of people.
3. That restaurant__________ be very good. It’s always empty.
4. I’m sure Kate gave me her address. I ________ have it somewhere.
5. I often see that man in this street. He _________ live near here.
6. It rained every day during their holiday. It_________ have been very nice for them.
7. Congratulations on passing your exam. You _________ be so happy!
8. This bill _________ be correct. It’s too high.
9. You got here fast. . You ________ have driven fast.
PRACTICE
1. The jacket you bought is very good quality.
(it / be / very expensive)
2. I haven’t seen our neighbours for the last few days. They must have gone away.
(they / go away)
3. I can’t find my umbrella.
(I / leave / it in the restaurant last night)
4. Amy was in a very difficult situation when she lost her job.
(it / be / easy for her)
5. There was a man standing outside the cafe. He was there a long time.
(he / wait / for somebody)
Tell me what job:
● He might/may/could be… (possible)
● There’s a chance that he’s… (possible)
● He can’t be… (impossible)
● There’s no way he’s… (impossible)
● He must be… (almost certain)
● I’m pretty sure he’s… (quite certain)