Modal auxiliary verbs - degrees of certainty 01

Chooe the correct option. You will get some feedback on your answer. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.

We should be there by ten.
1. We're talking about the future.
2. We're talking about the present.
3. We're talking about the past.
We should be there by ten.
1. There is a small possibility we will arrive by ten.
2. I'm sure we will arrive by ten.
3. It's not absolutely certain but there is a strong possibility that we will arrive by ten.
Don't worry, she'll be there.
1. I'm very sure.
2. I'm not sure.
This horse might win.
1. I'm going to put my life savings on it.
2. I'll put a small bet on it.
3. No way I'm risking even a dollar on it.
He could be in the library.
1. He goes in there sometimes.
2. I doubt he's read a book in his whole life.
3. He's always in there.
They must be having lunch.
1. This is the only possibility I can think of.
2. Or they might be shopping.
She can't be still at lunch.
1. She went three hours ago.
2. She's only just gone.
3. She's in the restaurant.
(Watching a film)
This must be London.
1. There's Big Ben.
2. The cars are driving on the left.
3. It looks cold.
The thieves must have worn gloves.
1. There are fingerprints everywhere.
2. There are no fingerprints.
She can't have gone out.
1. Her coat is still here.
2. Her coat is gone.
3. She sometmes goes out for a walk.
Did you smell his breath?
1. He must have been eating garlic.
2. He can't have been eating garlic.
3. He might have been eating garlic.
Egypt was just amazing!
1. Yes. You could have had a great time.
2. Yes. You must have had a great time.
3. Yes. You can't have had a great time.
She must be there this evening - I'm sure.
1. This sentence is correct.
2. This is wrong. A better sentence would be:
  
  She'll be there this evening - I'm sure.
He can be in the bathroom.
1. This is wrong. A better sentence would be :
  He could be in the bathroom.
2. This sentence is correct.
He mustn't have gone home alrealy - it's only three o'clock.
1. This sentence is correct.
2. This is wrong. A better sentence would be :
  
  He can't have gone home already.
3. This is wrong. A better sentence would be :
  
  He couldn't have gone home already.

More about grammar > modals of deduction;

Language notes

modals of deduction

Studypage.net language notes

Online activities: quiz

modals of deduction quiz 1
Multiple-choice quiz.

eltbase English language quizzes

about help contact
						Teachers' site: ELT base