UNIVERSIDAD ESTATAL DEL SUR DE MANAB
Creada el 7 de Febrero del ao 2001, segn Registro Oficial # 261
UNIDAD ACADEMICA DE CIENCIAS TECNICAS
CARRERA DE INGENIERIA CIVIL
Name: Bryan Steveen Cevallos Palma
Teacher: Jaime Caarte Avila
Modals deduction (present)
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 theres very strong
evidence.
He must live near here because he comes to work on foot. We dont know where
he lives but were sure its not far away.
Come inside and get warm you must be freezing out there.
Youre 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 were not
sure.
Did you hear that? I think there might be a burglar downstairs. Shes not sure
theres a burglar but she thinks its possible.
Well try to get there early but we may arrive late if theres a lot of traffic.
Dont put it up there. It could fall off and hit someone.
Might, may and could are also followed by an infinitive without to.
3 cant
We use cant when we feel sure something is not true.
It cant be a burglar. All the doors and windows are locked. He doesnt know
its not a burglar but he feels sure its not.
It cant be far away now. Weve been driving for hours. Wheres the map?
Really? He has to work on Christmas Day? He cant feel very happy about that.
Like the other verbs, cant is followed by an infinitive without to.
Remember that all of these modal verbs must, might, may, could and cant have
other uses. These are covered in another section.
Bryan Cevallos
28/05/2016