Modals of deduction (must, can't, may, could)
We use this to say that it's impossible that something is true.
Can't
Today's the 12th, ______________ ?
Today's the 12th, isn't it ?
Celia started that rumour.
Celia is the person _________________.
Celia started that rumour.
Celia is the person who started that rumor.
Do you enjoy ___________ (write)?
Do you enjoy writing?
My friends travelled to Colombia. The trip was horrible.
(wish)
My friends travelled to Colombia. The trip was horrible.
My friends wish they hadn't travelled to Colombia.
We use this to say that we are sure that something is true.
Must
You studied Arts, ____________ ?
You studied Arts, didn't you ?
I had an accident on this street.
This is the street ______________
I had an accident on this street.
This is the street where I had an accident.
Have you decided what you want ________ (study) in college?
Have you decided what you want to study in college?
I stayed up late last night. This morning I'm really tired.
(wish)
I stayed up late last night. This morning I'm really tired.
I wish I hadn't stayed up late last night.
We use this to say that something is possibly true.
Could, may, might
Mary will travel in the morning, __________?
Mary will travel in the morning, won't she ?
It was my worst moment. I forgot my boss's name.
My worst moment was ____________________.
It was my worst moment. I forgot my boss's name.
My worst moment was when I forgot my boss's name.
Did she finish ____________ (read) that book I lent her?
Did she finish reading that book I lent her?
(if only)
Bob didn't work hard in school. He failed his exams.
If only Bob had worked hard in school.
It's the middle of summer. You don't believe it when someone says it's snowing.
It ___________ be snowing.
It's the middle of summer. You don't believe it when someone says it's snowing.
It can't be snowing.
You have never been abroad, have you ?
That news story caused the politician to resign.
That was the news story ___________________.
That news story caused the politician to resign.
That was the news story which caused the politician to resign.
I want to avoid ____________ (work) full-time while I'm still studying.
I want to avoid working full-time while I'm still studying.
Jennifer wanted to go to college, but she didn't go.
(wish)
Jennifer wanted to go to college, but she didn't go.
Jennifer wishes she had gone to college.
You're expecting Nicole to call. The phone rings.
That _________ be Nicole.
You're expecting Nicole to call. The phone rings.
That must be Nicole.
I'm guessing I'm late again, ____________ ?
I'm guessing I'm late again, aren't I ?
The woman's son is the guest speaker. You met her son.
The woman ______________ you met is the guest speaker.
The woman's son is the guest speaker. You met her son.
The woman whose son you met is the guest speaker.
My father has definitely stopped ____________ (smoke)!
My father has definitely stopped smoking!
I ate a huge breakfast this morning. Now I feel sick.
(if only)
I ate a huge breakfast this morning. Now I feel sick.
If only I hadn't eaten a huge breakfast this morning.