modal verbs deduction

1. MODAL VERBS (II)
Must, may, might, can’t (deduction)

2. MUST - CERTAINTY
 Use must when you are sure about something.
She must have a lot of money. She drives a Porsche.
You have been studying all day. You must be exhausted.
The phone is ringing. It must be my father. He told me he
needed to talk to me.

3. MAY, MIGHT - POSSIBILITY
 Use may and might when something is possibly true but you
are not sure.
She’s not at home. She may be out shopping (but I don’t know for
sure).
Have you seen “The King’s Speech”? I think you may like it, it’s a
good film.
We may go climbing in the Alps next year, but we are not sure
yet.
We might not be home before midnight.

4. CAN’T - IMPOSSIBILITY
 Use can’t when you know something is impossible.
He can’t be in hospital, I saw him this morning!
5 euros for a cup of coffee? That can’t be true!
It can’t rain today. Look, the sun is shinning.