Share Modals: Deduction about the present and the past
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You just ate five large slices of pizza, two pieces of chocolate cake, and some ice cream. You ______________ (be) hungry!
can't (still) be
There is a picture of a Japanese woman on Glen’s desk. His wife is Japanese. That _______ (be) his wife.
must be
I wonder why Mary and Fred are late. They ___________ (forget) about our meeting.
may/might have forgotten
Alex really wanted to get that promotion, but he didn't. He ____ (be) disappointed.
must be
This assignment is much more difficult than I expected it would be. I ______________ (finish) it on time.
might / may not finish
It is almost certain that he left before breakfast.
He must have left before breakfast.
It is very unlikely that he robbed the bank on his own.
He can't have robbed the bank on his own.
It seems quite likely that he had a partner during the robbery.
He must have had a partner...
When Elly got home yesterday, there were flowers on the table. Her husband __________ (buy) them.
must have bought
Sarah couldn't find her glasses. Perhaps, she left them at her office.
She might/may/could have left them at the office.
My next door neighbour has a huge library. She _________(love) books.
must love
You ________(practise) a lot before you gave your speech. It was really good.
must have practised
He was here a moment ago. He __________(go) far.
can't have gone
She speaks excellent French. I'm sure she lived in France for a long time.
She must have lived in France for a long time.
We don't know for sure that Alex broke the coffee table. Maybe it was the dog.
It might have been the dog.
When I came home I realized I didn't have my keys with me.
They could have fallen down my bag
