Expressing Possibility & Making Deductions

Expressing Possibility & Making Deductions

1. Possibility

   • Past
     • may/ might + have + past participle
       • may
         • They may have arrived hours ago.
       • might
         • I might have read the book , but I'm not sure .
       • could
         • You were lucky . You could have been hurt.
   • Present+ Future
     • -
       • modal+ not + base
         • may not
           • We may not go to the conference.
         • might not
           • If we don't hurry , we might not be on time.
     • +
       • modal + base
         • can
           • It can be very cold in winter.
         • might
           • They might come later.
         • may
           • He may come by car.
         • could
           • He could be at home now.

2. Deduction

   • Present
     • +
       • Modal+ base
         • must
           • My father must be at work now.
     • -
       • Modal+ not + base
         • can't
           • You can't be serious.
   • past
     • -
       • Modal + not + have + past participle
         • can't
           • I can't have left it in the supermarket , I had it on the bus on the way home.
         • couldn't
           • You couldn't have met their parents . They live in the UK.
     • +
       • Modal + have + past participle
         • must
           • I must have left my wallet at home