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Modals of Deduction and Speculation

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112 views

Modals of Deduction and Speculation

Uploaded by

12862
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson plan

Modals of Deduction and Speculation

MODALS OF DEDUCTION AND SPECULATION

INTRO
In some situations we use modal verbs to deduce something or speculate about something.

To deduce – to figure out something To speculate – to think about something

CHOICE OF MODAL VERBS


By choosing different modal verbs you can show how sure/certain you are.

MIGHT / COULD MAY MUST / CAN


low high
C E R T A I N T Y

How old is this book? How far are they now? Will he fight?
I believe it might be I think they may be in I am sure he must be
200 years old. London already. very brave to do that.

EXERCISE 1
Choose modal verb for each situation:
1. How _______ you be tired? You have just woken up!
a) must
b) can
c) may

2. That ______ be your brother. He looks like you.


a) must
b) can
c) may

3. I am leaving now, I ______ be late for the meeting.


a) mustn’t
b) can’t
c) mightn’t

4. People see them often together. They ______ be friends.


a) must
b) can
c) may

1 www.granav.com
Lesson plan
Modals of Deduction and Speculation

PRESENT AND PAST


Modal verbs express attitude, probability, obligation, physical ability etc. but they don’t
articulate action itself. For example, if you just say “You must….” and keep silence for the rest
of the day, it is impossible to understand what is it that you want. This is why modal verbs are
always followed by regular verbs in a form of infinitive.

They must read this book by Monday.


She may do it.

There are 2 kinds of infinitives in English language: Simple and Perfect

INFINITIVES

ACTIVE PASSIVE

INDEFINITE / SIMPLE INDEFINITE / SIMPLE


SIMPLE
CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS

PERFECT PERFECT
PERFECT
PERFECT CONTINUOUS PERFECT CONTINUOUS

In modal constructions simple and perfect infinitives can show present and past time.

INFINITIVES

ACTIVE PASSIVE

INDEFINITE / SIMPLE INDEFINITE / SIMPLE


PRESENT
CONTINUOUS CONTINUOUS

PERFECT PERFECT
PAST
PERFECT CONTINUOUS PERFECT CONTINUOUS

They must read this book (PRESENT) They must have read this book (PAST)
She may do it (PRESENT) She may have done it (PAST)

2 www.granav.com
Lesson plan
Modals of Deduction and Speculation

Verbal forms of English language are numerous. Grammar Cube is an organizer that
keeps things in order and allows easy navigation across verbal grammar.

Here is the link to animated Grammar Cube model that will help you to
visualize and remember simple and perfect infinitives and their roles.

They must read this book

Simple Infinitive
(PRESENT)

Perfect Infinitive
(PAST)

They must have read this book

EXERCISE 2
Complete the following sentences.

1. Jane must ……………….. a good job. She looks so happy!


a) have found
b) have been finding
c) find

2. John left workplace too late today. He may ………………….. the train.
a) miss
b) have missed
c) have been missing

3. They can ………………… this task today if they hurry up.


a) finish
b) have finished
c) have been finishing

4. Danny is not in class. I believe he might …………………… his bus.


a) miss
b) have missed
c) have been missing

5. She’s got A+ on her exam. She must ………………… all summer.


a) study
b) have studied
c) have been studying

3 www.granav.com

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