MODAL OF DEDUCTION: MUST CAN´T , MIGHT/ MAY / COULD

We use modal verbs to say how sure we are about something.

1 must

we use must when we feel sure that something is true because there’s very strong evidence.

·         He must live near here because he comes to work on foot. We don’t know where he lives but we’re sure it’s not far away.

·         Come inside and get warm – you must be freezing out there.

·         You’re a zookeeper? That must be very interesting.

Notice that must is followed by an infinitive without ‘to’.

2 might, may, could

We use might, may or could to say that we think something is possible but we’re not sure.

·         Did you hear that? I think there might be a burglar downstairs. She’s not sure there’s a burglar but she thinks it’s possible.

·         We’ll try to get there early but we may arrive late if there’s a lot of traffic.

·         Don’t put it up there. It could fall off and hit someone.

Might, may and could are also followed by an infinitive without ‘to’.

3 can’t

We use can’t when we feel sure something is not true.

·         It can’t be a burglar. All the doors and windows are locked. He doesn’t know it’s not a burglar but he feels sure it’s not.

·         It can’t be far away now. We’ve been driving for hours. Where’s the map?

·         Really? He has to work on Christmas Day? He can’t feel very happy about that.

Like the other verbs, can’t is followed by an infinitive without ‘t