Drawing conclussions

• English
• Secundair onderwijs

She must be in her office.

She could be ...

She may be ...

She might be ...

She can't be ...

Modals of deduction and probability

- If you’re certain that something is true, based on evidence --> must

There must be more planets in the universe than we’re aware of.

- If you’re certain that something is not true, based on evidence --> can’t

Similar life forms to our own can’t exist in our solar system.

- If you are not sure whether something is true --> might / may / could

Life could exist elsewhere in the universe.

Not 100% certain

may (not) = in Dutch "misschien". There is a reasonable chance that it will happen. May is rather formal and not used very often.

could = in Dutch "zou kunnen". There is a good 

chance that it will happen; perhaps 50-50%

might (not) = in Dutch "heel misschien". There is only a

slim chance that it will happen

What's the Dutch translation of the word 'speculation'

1. speculaas
2. speculatie
3. verplichting
4. verbod

Practice!

On the next slides you're going to rewrite 

sentence using the modal verbs. 

Take the following steps:

step 1: Is it a present or past sentence?

              present --> modal + infinitive

              past --> modal + have + past participle

step 2: find the main verb

Example: rewrite using MUST

"I'm sure it's a lion"

step 1: present 

              (modal + infinitive)

step 2:  is (to be)

It must be a lion.

Rewrite using MUST
"I'm sure it's cold out"

Rewrite using MIGHT
"It's possible it escaped from the zoo."

Rewrite using COULD

"Perhaps he's very hungry by now."

Rewrite using COULD

"It's possible it was somebody's pet."

Rewrite using MAY

"Perhaps it grew too big."

Rewrite using CAN'T

"I'm sure it isn't a lion."

She isn't answering the phone.
She ... be out. (normally she always answers)

1. must
2. can't
3. might

They... be Spanish, they're speaking Portuguese.

1. must
2. can't
3. might

He ... have a job interview today. (He's waiting to hear from the company.)

1. must
2. can't
3. might

Pick the right answer
It ______ be cold outside. People are wearing scarfs and jackets.

1. can't
2. may
3. must
4. should

She _____ like make up. She wears it every day.

1. might
2. must
3. can't
4. may not

It ______ be cold at the beach at night.

1. may
2. must
3. can't

Expressing desire

giving a command

giving a reason

questions including the verb 'do'

Silence! I don't want to hear you.

I would like the weather to be warmer.

Does it have to be on Monday?

I used my bike to get to school.

Choose the most logical sentence.

1. You must be hungry after fasting for a week.
2. You could be hungry after fasting for a week
3. You may be hungry after fasting for a week.

Choose the most logical sentence.

1. I could move to the US in the next five years.
2. I may/might move to the US in the next five years.
3. I must move to the US in the next five years.

It looks nice, but it ____ be very expensive.

1. Must
2. Might
3. Should
4. Shouldn't

Remember

- Must:
Je bent zeker dat iets zo is

- May/Might/Could:
Je denkt dat iets waarschijnlijk zo is

- Can't: 

Je denkt dat iets echt niet zo is