3.2 Grammar

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

3.2 Grammar

Goals:

- You can use modal verbs to speculate about the present and the past

Present and past speculation

To say we're speculating about something we use a modal verb.

Modal verbs:

- must

- might (not)

- may (not)

- could (not)

- can't

Present speculation

When speculating about a present situation we use a modal verb + infinitive

must, for something that we strongly believe to be true

          e.g. Kriss must be very happy with her boyfriend.

might, may, & could for when we think something is possibly true

          e.g. Annie might (not) be involved in a murder

Can't for when we strongly believe it not to be true

           e.g. It can't be true, it just can't!

Past speculation

When speculating about a past situation we use a

modal verb + have + the past participle form of the main verb

must have, for something that we strongly believe happened

          e.g. Ruby must have been there as well. 

might, may, & could for when we think something possibly happened

          e.g. Annie might (not) have been involved in drug crimes

Can't have & couldn't have for when we strongly believe something didn't happen

           e.g. It couldn't have been Annie, she was right here

The key _____ be somewhere here, but I can't find it right now

1. can't
2. must

You _________ remember me, we met on a trip to South Korea last year

1. can't
2. may

What, you forgot your ticket and your passport? you _____ be serious

1. can't
2. might

You failed the exam, so your answers _________ wrong

1. must be
2. can't be
3. must have been
4. can't have been

I'm not sure if you are right. You ________ a mistake

1. could make
2. can't make
3. could have made
4. can't have made

I might ______ (leave) my phone at the hotel, but I don't remember

Katy has been travelling for the last two weeks, she must _____ (be) very tired right now.

Ambessa's accent is a bit strange, she could _____ (be) Nothern Irish, but I'm not sure

You can't _______ (see) your mother in town at noon, she was at home with me

Dr. Razzmatazz was really upset last week. They must ______ (have) problems at home.

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