Дедукция – это процесс принятия решения или ответа путем обдумывания известного факта или принятого решения. Знаменитый Шерлок Холмс использовал этот метод, чтобы найти преступников.
English language grammar for IELTS offers a wide range of topics when it comes to perfection in the language. Here we come up with our new topic of grammar, that is, modal verbs for deduction.
Modal verbs for deduction are used:-
● To guess if something is true using the available information.
● To show how certain we are about the possibility or to check the level of certainty.
Today’s article will describe the detailed use of modal verbs for the certainty of possibility, probability, and deduction.
- You must be
tired after that workout. (I am very sure that you are tired) - I don’t have my phone. It must be on my desk. (I am sure that the phone is on my desk)
- She must
study for the test if she wants to do well. (I am very sure that if she wants
to pass the test it is required that she study)
- May (not) & Might (not)
- Difference between Might and May
- Can’t
- Example Exercises
- Grammar explanation
- must
- might, may, could
- can’t
- Language level
- Grammar explanation
- must have
- might have / may have
- can’t have / couldn’t have
- Language level
- Roma Online Complete IELTS Training Course
- Features of Complete IELTS Training Course
- Modals
- ▶️ Must
- ▶️ Might, May, Could
- ▶️ Can’t
- ▶️ Must Have
- ▶️ Might Have / May Have
- ▶️ Might Not Have
- ▶️ Can’t Have / Couldn’t Have
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- Что это такое и как употреблять
- Modals of deduction в настоящем времени
- Modals of deduction в прошлом времени
- Modals For Deduction About Past
- Must Have + Past Participle
- Must Not Have + Past Participle
- Modals For Deduction About The Future
- Deduction
- Modals For Deduction About Present
May (not) & Might
(not)
You use the words “may (not)” or “might (not)” if you are
50% sure of a fact.
- They are not here yet. They might be stuck in track. (I am not exactly sure why they aren’t
here) - Frank may
be able to help us with the problem. (There is a 50% chance that Frank can
help) - The airline told us that the flight might be delayed due to weather. (There
is a 50% chance that the flight gets delayed due to weather)
Difference between
Might and May
May is used for situations that could be factual or could be
possible.
Can’t
- Sorry, I can’t
do that. It’s against the law. (I am 100% unable to do the task) - You can’t
stay in the house while they paint it. The fumes are toxic. (You are 100% not
allowed to be in the house) - I can’t
drive today. I just had an eye test and can’t
see. (Due to the eye test, I am 100% unable to drive)
Example Exercises
Ollie: Hi, Mum!
Sophie: Ah, you’re both there, good. Hi, how are you doing?
Daisy: We’re fine. Just having some pizza. And you?
Sophie: Really good. I’m about to eat too. I’ve just been walking round this amazing market and it’s made me hungry. I’m going to order a big bowl of spicy noodles.
Ollie: Don’t make us jealous, Mum! You’re always doing that.
Sophie: Sorry, love. I was thinking about you just now, actually, and I’ve got a little quiz prepared for you.
Sophie: Yeah. Can you both see the phone? I’m going to send you some photos of Indonesian food. Tell me what the food is.
Daisy: OK, fire away.
Sophie: Right, picture number 1.
Daisy: Ooh, that looks a bit like pasta, burnt pasta, but it isn’t, is it?
Ollie: Nah, that’s a kind of insect. A kind of worm?
Sophie: Yes, very good. One point to Ollie, but that was an easy one. Next.
Ollie: They’re weird. They might be some kind of small pig.
Daisy: I don’t know. Are they little dogs?
Sophie: Ah, they’re actually a lot smaller than that. They’re bats.
Daisy and Ollie: Bats!
Sophie: Yeah, without wings. I haven’t seen anyone eating them, but someone must do. OK, next.
Ollie: That looks like tomato juice, but it can’t be, that would be too easy.
Daisy: It could be some kind of exotic fruit juice like papaya or mango.
Sophie: Nowhere near. I’ll give you a clue. It isn’t made from fruit or vegetables.
Ollie: So, it must come from an animal.
Daisy: I know, it’s blood!
Sophie: Yes, half a point to Daisy. Another half a point for the animal.
Daisy: A fish? A snake? A crocodile?
Sophie: Yep, a snake. It’s cobra blood, very good for the health, they say.
Ollie: Yeeuch, you’ve put me right off my pizza!
Do you know how to use modal verbs to say how certain you are about a possibility? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.
Look at these examples to see how must, might, may, could and can’t can be used.
That must be the main entrance. I can see people queuing to get in.
I’ve lost my keys. They might be at work or they could be in the car.
You can’t be bored already! You’ve only been here five minutes.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Modals – deduction (present): Grammar test 1
Grammar explanation
We can use modal verbs for deduction – guessing if something is true using the available information. The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the possibility. This page focuses on making deductions about the present or future.
must
We use must when we feel sure that something is true or it’s the only realistic possibility.
This must be her house. I can see her car in the garage.
He must live near here because he always walks to work.
Come inside and get warm. You must be freezing out there!
might, may, could
We use might, may or could to say that we think something is possible but we’re not sure.
She’s not here yet. She might be stuck in traffic.
He’s not answering. He could be in class.
We regret to inform you that some services may be delayed due to the bad weather.
They all have the same meaning, but may is more formal than might and could.
can’t
We use can’t when we feel sure that something is not possible.
It can’t be far now. We’ve been driving for hours.
She can’t know about the complaint. She’s promoted him to team leader.
It can’t be easy for him, looking after three kids on his own.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Modals – deduction (present): Grammar test 2
Language level
Do you need to improve your English grammar?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English grammar with our online courses.
Do you know how to use modal verbs to show how certain you are about past events? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.
Look at these examples to see how must, might, may, could, can’t and couldn’t are used in the past.
An earthquake? That must have been terrifying!
We don’t know for sure that Alex broke the coffee table. It might have been the dog.
How did she fail that exam? She can’t have studied very much.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Modals – deduction (past): Grammar test 1
Grammar explanation
We can use modal verbs for deduction – guessing if something is true using the available information. The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the possibility. This page focuses on making deductions about the past.
must have
We use must have + past participle when we feel sure about what happened.
Who told the newspapers about the prime minister’s plans? It must have been someone close to him.
The thief must have had a key. The door was locked and nothing was broken.
Oh, good! We’ve got milk. Mo must have bought some yesterday.
might have / may have
We can use might have or may have + past participle when we think it’s possible that something happened.
I think I might have left the air conditioning on. Please can you check?
Police think the suspect may have left the country using a fake passport.
May have is more formal than might have. Could have is also possible in this context but less common.
can’t have / couldn’t have
We use can’t have and couldn’t have + past participle when we think it’s not possible that something happened.
She can’t have driven there. Her car keys are still here.
I thought I saw Adnan this morning but it couldn’t have been him – he’s in Greece this week.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Modals – deduction (past): Grammar test 2
Language level
Do you need to improve your English grammar?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English grammar with our online courses.
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Modals
Below is a guide to all the modals in detail. Their usage, description and examples have been illustrated individually below.
▶️ Must
Modal verb must is used when one feels certain that something is true or it’s the only realistic possibility.
● This must be her house. I can see her car in the garage.
● He must live near here because he always walks to work.
● You have worked all day, you must be tired.
● He must live near here because he comes to work on foot.
● She’s not here. She must be in the kitchen.
● Come inside and get warm. You must be freezing out there!
● You are a pilot, that must be interesting.
● He must be around here because his car is parked there.
● He has an expensive car, he must have some money.
● She isn’t answering the phone, she must be out.
● He drives an expensive car, he must have a good job.
● You’re a zookeeper? That must be very interesting.
● Her son is at university so she must be at least 40.
● Carla works every day from 9 AM to 5 PM so she must be at work.
▶️ Might, May, Could
The modal verbs might, may or could are used to say that something is possible but not so certain.
● She’s not here yet. She might be stuck in traffic.
● We regret to inform you that some services may be delayed due to the bad weather.
● I heard a noise, there might be a cat on the roof
● She might be going to Australia.
● They might be some kind of small pig
● He might be in the Gym, sometimes he goes there
● Jerry is very tall so he might be good at basketball.
● She is busy, she might not be able to come tonight.
● He might be in his bedroom.
● He’s not answering. He could be in class.
● Peter could be at the library.
● Don’t eat it! It could be poisoned!
● Don’t put it up there. It could fall off and hit someone.
▶️ Can’t
The modal verb can’t is used when one feels that something is not possible.
● It can’t be easy for him, looking after three kids on his own.
● He can’t be dead, I just talked to him on the phone
● My wallet can’t be in my backpack, I already checked there
● It can’t be a mechanical problem, the car is new
● It can’t be far now. We’ve been driving for hours.
● That can’t be James, James wears glasses
● That looks like tomato juice, but it can’t be, that would be too easy.
● She can’t be a mother, she’s only 14!
● He can’t be in prison, I saw him yesterday in a pub.
● They can’t be Spanish, they’re speaking Portuguese
▶️ Must Have
The modal verb must have is used when one feels sure about what happened. It is used along with the past participle form of the verb.
● The thief must have had a key. The door was locked and nothing was broken.
● Who told the newspapers about the prime minister’s plans? It must have been someone close to him.
● Oh, good! We’ve got milk. Mo must have bought some yesterday.
▶️ Might Have / May Have
The modal verb might have or may have is used when we think it’s possible that something happened. It is used along with the past participle form of the verb.
● I think I might have left the air conditioning on. Please can you check?
● Police think the suspect may have left the country using a fake passport.
● She might have gone to the shops.»
May have is more formal than might have. Could have is also possible in this context but less common.
▶️ Might Not Have
The modal verb might not have is a negative form of might have modal verb. It is used in a sentence where it’s possible that the action did not happen, but not certain.
● «He might not have finished his exams yet.»
It is possible that he has not finished his exams, but it is also possible that he has finished them.
▶️ Can’t Have / Couldn’t Have
The modal verbs can’t have and couldn’t have are the negative forms of can have and could have. These are used when we think it’s not possible that something happened in the past. The past participle form of the verb is used along with these modal verbs.
● She can’t have driven there. Her car keys are still here.
● I thought I saw Adnan this morning but it couldn’t have been him – he’s in Greece this week.
● She can’t leave the house yet because her car is still outside.»
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Что это такое и как употреблять
Некоторые из нас используют этот метод в повседневной жизни для составления заключений на родном языке. Мы также используем дедукцию в английском языке. Есть даже список модальных глаголов, которые называются модальными глаголами дедукции (modals of deduction) – их мы и обсудим в этой статье.
Modals of deduction в настоящем времени
Мы используем модальные глаголы дедукции, чтобы сказать, насколько мы уверены в чем-то. Глаголы дедукции в настоящем времени: must, might, may, could, can’t.
- Мы используем must, когда уверены, что что-то верно, потому что есть очень веские доказательства:
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)
You are a computer programmer? It must be well-paid job.
- Мы используем might, may или could, когда мы думаем, что что-то возможно, но мы не уверены:
What do you know about him? He might be a reserved person.
They may be late on meeting.
Don’t eat it! It could be poisoned!
Мы используем can’t / couldn’t, когда предполагаем, что что-то не так:
She can’t be a mother, she’s only 14!
He can’t be in prison, I saw him yesterday in a pub.
They couldn’t be in a library. It’s closed today.
Все модальные глаголы дедукции в настоящем зависят от того, насколько вы уверены в факте.
Структура всех modals of deduction в настоящем времени одинакова:
Affirmative: Subject + modal + V1 (bare Infinitive)
Interrogative: Modal + subject + V1 (bare Infinitive)?
Negative: No + subject + modal + not + V1 (bare Infinitive)
Modals of deduction в прошлом времени
Структура модальных глаголов в прошлом другая, но смысл очень похож (просто относится к прошлому):
- Must + have Ved/3 – мы уверены, что что-то произошло в прошлом:
Where is my wallet?! Someone must have stolen it!
You’re soaked. It must have been raining outside.
- Might, may, could + have Ved/3 – мы думаем, что что-то было возможно, но мы не уверены:
The thieves might have escaped by car but we can’t be sure.
He should be hour by now. He may have been delayed by a traffic jam or something.
I can’t find my purse. I could have left it in the supermarket but I just don’t know.
- Can’t, couldn’t + have Ved/3 – мы уверены, что ничего не произошло в прошлом:
I thought I saw John in town this morning but it can’t have been him – he’s in Greece this week.
I can’t have left it in the supermarket – I had it on the bus on the way home.
You can’t have read the instructions properly. They’re perfectly clear.
Как вы можете видеть в приведенных выше примерах, структура modals of deduction прошедшего времени следующая:
Affirmative: Subject + modal + have V3/ed
Interrogative: Modal + subject + have V3/ed ?
Negative: No + subject + modal + not + have V3/ed
Вот таблица с модальными глаголами дедукции из нашей рубрики Visual Grammar для вас:
Больше примеров и упражнений для практики вы можете найти здесь:
Надеемся, ваша статья навела вас на размышления!
Modals For Deduction About Past
Whenever we are available with a present situation or evidence and we tend to draw a conclusion about what was happened in the past, the modal verbs for deduction which are used
● Must have
● Couldn’t have
Along with a past form of verb.
Must Have + Past Participle
- Sheila got a tan. She must have spent a lot of time in the sun lately.
- There was one banana left, but now it’s gone. My husband must have eaten it.
Must Not Have + Past Participle
- The car is still dirty. Paul must not have washed it yet.
- He barely touched his lunch. He must not have been hungry.
Couldn’t Have + Past Participlewhen one is certain that some situation was impossible to happen in the past.
- Martha couldn’t have taken your notebook; she wasn’t even in class yesterday.
- The cookies are gone. But Eric couldn’t have reached the cookies on the top shelf; he must have asked his older brother to get them.
Let’s look for an example that represents the difference between must not have and couldn’t have:
▪ I did not see the report here – she must not have printed it out. (Printed- verb’s past form)
(we draw the conclusion that she did not do it)
▪ The printer has been broken for the past week, so she couldn’t have printed out the report. (Printed- verb’s past form)
(we know it was IMPOSSIBLE for her to do it)
Modals For Deduction About The Future
Modals for deductions about the future if we are making predictions. As you know about the future tenses, one can use will or going to for saying what one believes will happen in the future. When one is quite sure that the made prediction is certain, the word ‘definitely’ can be added to put focus on the prediction.
1. She is definitely going to love this book – it’s by her favorite author.
2. The kids will definitely be thrilled when we tell them we’re going to Essel World.
Two slightly more formal expressions that can be used for talking about the future with certainty is saying that something is certain to happen, or is sure to happen:
▪ Engineers are certain to develop even faster computers.
▪ The country is sure to come to the aid of its ally.
Deduction
“Deduction” means to use the information available to make a guess or to draw a conclusion about the facts available. Different modal verbs are used to indicate the degree of certainty. Some modal verbs of deduction are ‘must‘, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘will’, ‘can’, ‘have to’, ‘might’, ‘may’.
Modals For Deduction About Present
To make deductions about the present,
● Use must if one is sure about something to be true.
● Use can’t if one is sure that something is impossible.
▪ She must be at work right now.
▪ She can’t be at home.
