2. EXPRESSING POSSIBILITY
1. MAY/MIGHT + VERB: Something is possible to occur now or in the future.
We may/might go to the party, but I’m not sure yet.
2. MAY/MIGHT + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE: Something is possible to occur in the
past.
She is crying. She may/might have received bad news.
3. COULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE: Something was possible to occur but it didn’t.
He could have called when the meeting finished.
3. MAKING DEDUCTIONS
1. MUST + VERB : We are almost sure that something is true.
This singer must be better than the other one.
2. CAN’T + VERB : We believe that something is impossible.
He can’t be Andres. He isn’t blond!
3. MUST + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE: We are almost sure that something
happened in the past.
My son is dirty. He must have been playing soccer in the park.
4. CAN’T/COULDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE: We are almost sure that something
didn’t happen.
She can’t have gone with Mario. He was working all day.
4. Check your understanding
1. He ______ come if he wanted.
2. They _____ be rich. They are always buying new things for
their house.
Escoja el modal correspondiente:
a. could have
b. can’t
a. couldn’t
b.must
3. He looks so tired. He _______ been working all day.
a. must have
b. can’t have