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Making deductions SPECULATION AND DEDUCTION ABOUT THE PAST

“Must have” with
a past participle is
Modal verbs can also be used to talk about how likely or See also: used to speculate
unlikely something is. They can be used to guess and make Types of verbs 49 about the past when
deductions about what has happened or is happening now. Infinitives and participles 51 Modal verbs 56 the speaker is sure Past participle
something happened.

SPECULATION AND DEDUCTION
The modal verbs “might” and “could” are used “Must” can be replaced
to talk about something with uncertainty.
with “may,” “might,”
or “could” when the
“Might” and “could” speaker is not sure
can be used to talk whether something
about uncertainty. The modal verb is usually followed happened or not.
The modal verb doesn’t by the base form of the main verb.
change with the subject.

“Can’t” or “couldn’t”
“Might not” is used can be used to refer
to describe negative to something that
things that are the speaker is certain
not certain. “Not” goes after
the modal verb. did not happen.

“Must” is often
used to speculate
about the present.
FURTHER EXAMPLES

“Cannot” and
“can’t” are used
when someone is
certain something
is impossible.

FURTHER EXAMPLES

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