NEB Grade XI Compulsory English Note | Language Development | Unit- 14 Modals of Deduction | Part 2

Unit:14

Modals of Deduction

may, might, must, can’t (Present)

MAY, MIGHT, MUST and CAN’T are used to express how sure we are about something that happens in the present or future.

MAY or MIGHT is used to talk about the possibility of something.

I may/might pass the exam. I don't feel very confident.

He might be in England.

MUST is used to talk about certainty.

He has been working all day. He must be tired.

Her mother must be a great cook. She is always keen to get back home to eat.

You've had a long journey. You must be tired.

CAN'T is used to say we are certain that something is impossible.

Niraj can't be in Gorkha. I saw him this morning.

They have a beautiful house and two cars. They can’t be poor.

You can’t hate Nepalese food. It's delicious.

B. Fill in the blanks with may, must or can’t.

a. Matthew …… be at home. I can see his bike in front of his home.

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Answer:
Matthew must be at home. I can see his bike in front of his home.

b. They …… be coming tomorrow.

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Answer:
They may be coming tomorrow.

c. She …… speak French very well. She's only lived in Paris for two weeks.

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Answer:
She can’t speak French very well. She's only lived in Paris for two weeks.

d. My key is not in my pocket or on my desk so it …… be in the drawer.

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Answer:
My key is not in my pocket or on my desk so it must be in the drawer.

e. I saw him yesterday. He …… be abroad.

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Answer:
I saw him yesterday. He can’t be abroad.

f. You got the job? That's great. You …… be very delighted.

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Answer:
You got the job? That's great. You must be very delighted.

g. I …… finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I'm not sure.

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Answer:
I may finish it by tomorrow if I stay at work all night, but I'm not sure.

h. Somebody is knocking on the door. It …… be Sabina – she promised to come today.

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Answer:
Somebody is knocking on the door. It must be Sabina – she promised to come today.

C. Rewrite the following sentences using may/might, must or can’t.

a. I’m sure he’s not going to the cinema today.

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Answer:
He can’t be going to the cinema today.

b. Perhaps she knows the answer.

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Answer:
She may know the answer

c. I’m sure he has a car.

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Answer:
He must have a car.

d. I doubt if it rains later on.

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Answer:
It may rain later on.

e. Perhaps she wants to be alone.

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Answer:
She may want to be alone.

f. I’m sure Harina is in her office.

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Answer:
Harina must be in her office.