Tag: may

Modals of deduction (present)

 

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Use modals of deduction to say how sure you are about something.

 

 

 

Use:

  • could / might / may – for things / actions that are possible

Example: He could be our new teacher.

                 That girl might be his new girlfriend. 

                 The man in black may be his grandfather.

  • must – for things / actions that are almost certain

Example: She must be his sister.

  • can’t  – for things / actions that are impossible

Example: That lady can’t be our new principal. I saw her working at a grocery store last week.

Do you know how to use modal verbs?

Can I open the window?

imagesMay I go to the washroom?

You should study more?

I can skate.

You don”t have to buy a new car.

She must move in two days.

I would rather sleep for a week.

You had better clean your room by the the time I come back.

 

  • Requests: can, could, will, would
  • Asking for permission: can, could, may, might
  • Advice: might, should, could
  • Commands: had better, must, will
  • Logical probability: might, may, could, must
  • Ability: can
  • Expectation: should, ought to
  • Lack of necessity: don’t have to
  • Logical impossibility: cannot
  • Necessity: must, have to
  • Preference: would rather
  • Prohibition: must not