Modals - Present
You see a broken window. What do you say? “Someone ___ be inside.”
must
“He wasn’t at the scene.” → Express past deduction.
He can’t have been at the scene.
Give advice: “The detective looks tired.”
He should rest.
What do detectives look for? (Synonym of “evidence”)
Clues - evidence - testimony
“To follow in someone’s footsteps” – Explain the meaning.
To do the same thing as someone else, often a role model or family member.
“It’s possible he’s lying.” → Rewrite using a modal.
He might be lying.
Use “must have” in a sentence about a missing object.
Someone must have taken the files.
Express past ability: “Enola ___ (solve) the puzzle."
could have solved
What’s the word for the person who may be guilty?
Suspect
Sherlock says: “The game is afoot” – What does it mean?
The investigation has started / action is beginning.
Choose: must / might / can’t → “She ___ know the truth. She looks surprised.”
can’t
What’s the opposite of: “She must have hidden the key”?
She can’t have hidden the key.
Obligation in the past: “You ___ (follow) the instructions.”
should have followed
What do we call a sentence that describes what someone saw happen?
Testimony or Statement
What does it mean “To be in hot water”?
To be in trouble.
Deduce: The door is locked and the lights are off. They_____...
They must be out... (other answers may be correct)
Use “might have” about a clue no one noticed.
They might have missed the clue.
Make a negative ability sentence (past).
She couldn’t have known that.
What’s the tool that lets you see tiny details?
Magnifying glass
What does “We’re running out of time” mean?
We have very little time left / we must hurry.
You find a clue under the desk. Make a sentence with “might”.
The clue might be important.
Create a sentence with “could have” + Unit vocabulary.
The detective could have found the solution.
Combine: advice + deduction → “She looks upset.”
She should talk to someone. She must have had a hard day.
“Where were you at the time of the crime?” → What is this called in detective language?
An alibi
What does "Stick your nose in" mean?
To get involved in something that’s not your business.