Lesson 61: Unit 59 - Deduction about the Present

About this lesson

In this lesson you will learn how to make assumptions and deductions about the present using modal verbs such as must, can't, could, may and might. You will understand the difference between strong certainty (must / can't) and a weaker assumption (may / might / could). You will master the grammatical structures through an authentic dialogue and practical exercises. Through them you will develop the ability to speak and write convincingly, drawing logical conclusions in English.

40 minutes

What you'll learn

• Use must and can't to express strong certainty about the present.
• Use may, might and could to express an assumption.
• Understand that there is almost no difference between may, might and could.
• Recognise and build sentences with modal verbs of deduction.
• Read and understand a dialogue in which assumptions about the present are made.

Lesson vocabulary

• must be He must be in the office building, he never goes home early.
• can't be They can't be in the kitchen, I never leave them in the kitchen.
• may be They may be there.
• might be They might be somewhere on the floor.
• could be They could be in the pockets of your jeans.
• deduction Must and can't are used for deduction about the present.
• suggestion Nobody knows where he is but we get some suggestions.
• corridor On the table in the corridor.
• pocket They could be in the pockets of your jeans.
• lose (keys) You are always losing them.
• clever You must be very clever!
• shout Please don't shout at me.
• leave (somewhere) They must be where you always leave them.
• go home early He never goes home early.
• already I'm already late.

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In other languages: Български