TEMA 9

Modal verbs of deduction

may, might

 

We use may and might to talk about things that are possibly true, but we don’t know for sure. (Usamos may y might para hablar sobre cosas que no son posiblememte ciertas, pero no estamos seguros)

                                    Ejemplos

• He’s more than 2 meters tall. He might be a basketball player. (=perhaps he is)
• He says Betty is his friend, but I think she may be his girlfriend.

We use may not or might not to talk about things that are possibly not true, but we don’t know for sure.

• You should call her. She might not know where you are. (=perhaps she doesn’t know)

must, can’t

 

We use must when we are sure, or quite sure, that something is true.(

Usamos must cuando estamos seguros, o bastante seguros, de que algo es cierto.)

      Ejemplos

• You must be tired after the long journey. (=I’m sure you are tired)
• I’m sure I had the keys when I left. They must be in the car.