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TermsEnglish (UK) · Modal Verbs
Modals of Deduction
Modal verbs can show how sure you are about something, based on what you see or know.
- must = I'm sure it's true: The lights are on. They must be at home.
- can't = I'm sure it isn't true: That can't be John. He's in Paris. (cannot and couldn't also work.)
- might, may or could = it's possible, but I'm not sure: She might be at the gym.
The opposite of must here is can't, not mustn't: He can't be tired (not He mustn't be tired). After these modals use the base form (be, need) or be + -ing (It must be raining).
Examples
- She must be very happy.
- It can't be true!
- He might be late tonight.
- They may be at the beach.
- That could be the answer.
Try it yourself
He's been working all day. He be tired.Show answer
He's been working all day. He must be tired.
The lights are on. They be at home.Show answer
The lights are on. They must be at home.
You haven't eaten all day. You be hungry.Show answer
You haven't eaten all day. You must be hungry.
He has three houses and a boat. He be rich.Show answer
He has three houses and a boat. He must be rich.
She's wearing a wedding ring. She be married.Show answer
She's wearing a wedding ring. She must be married.
Everyone is laughing. The joke be very funny.Show answer
Everyone is laughing. The joke must be very funny.
Anna knows every answer. She study a lot.Show answer
Anna knows every answer. She must study a lot.
People are carrying umbrellas. It be raining.Show answer
People are carrying umbrellas. It must be raining.
You've just run a marathon. You be exhausted.Show answer
You've just run a marathon. You must be exhausted.
That be John. He's in Paris this week.Show answer
That can't be John. He's in Paris this week.