


A woman phoned for you, but she didn’t give her name. Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with must have, may have and might have. “Who is that girl with Bob?” – “Ask Sheila. Download full-size image from Pinterest Modal verbs of deduction and speculation We can use some modal verbs + infinitive to talk about how certain we are. “Where’s Jack?” – “He _ be in his office”.ĭon’t make too much noise. Have you seen him?” – “He _ be in the canteen”.Ĥ. Police think the suspect may have left the country using a fake passport.ĭEDUCTIONS ABOUT PRESENT AND PAST ACTIONSĬomplete the sentences by putting in must, may or might.Į.g. I think I might have left the air conditioning on. We can use might have or may have + past participle when we think it’s possible that something happened. The door was locked and nothing was broken. Who told the newspapers about the prime minister’s plans? It must have been someone close to him. We use must have + past participle when we feel sure about what happened. The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the possibility. He didn't recognise me at all.We can use modal verbs for deduction – guessing if something is true using the available information. His number was busy all night - he _ been on the phone continuously for hours.I don't know where they went on holiday but they bought Euros before they left so they _ gone to France or Germany.You _ been ill - Don said you were at the ice hockey match last night. students to learn how to use modal verbs of deduction and speculation in the present and in the past. Don't lie to me that you were ill yesterday. A selection of English ESL deduction printables.I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet.I didn't know you were going to Phil's party yesterday.She _ passed her driving test this morning. Sarah looks really pleased with herself.Nobody answered the phone at the clinic.Must have - Might have - Could have - May have - Should have - Can't have Past Modals of DeductionĬhoose one of the following to complete the sentences. Advanced Level > Grammar Worksheets > Practice of past modal verbs used to make deductions such as "must have", "can't have" and "might have".
