Page 18 - Journeys English C1 (Grammar Book)

2 Literature

Deductions

To deduce the unknown present
Use must when you are certain that something is
true.
That must be Dr Jones.
Use should when you expect something to be true.
The meeting should start on time. All participants
have confirmed their attendance.
Use may, might, or could when you deduce
something you don’t know for sure.
Louis may/might/could be running late. I haven’t
seen him yet, and he usually arrives early.
Use can’t when you deduce that something is not true.
The concert started fifteen minutes ago; they can’t still be at home!

To deduce the unknown past
Use must have when you are certain that something was true.
The oven is still hot. Mum must have just baked biscuits.
Use may have or might have when deducing something in the past that you don’t know for sure.
Pierre didn’t come to the party last night. He may/might have had other plans.
Use can’t have or couldn’t have when you deduce that something did not happen.
The concert finished very late last night; they can’t have/couldn’t have caught the last train.

C. Tick (  ) the correct sentences and correct the others.
1. The package was shipped two days ago, so it must arrive tomorrow.

2. The book I lent her is nowhere to be found; she might forget to return it.

3. She’s wearing a wedding ring, so she can’t be married.

4. The door was wide open when I came home, so someone must have forgotten to close it.

5. She’s always punctual, so she can’t be the one causing the delay.

6. He may have been the one who broke the vase. He wasn’t even in the room when it happened.

7. The noise is coming from the kitchen. It could be the dishwasher running.

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