> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://viktor-8.gitbook.io/untitled/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://viktor-8.gitbook.io/untitled/english/speculation-and-deduction/exercises.md).

# Exercises

Speculation and deduction – modal verbs and expressions

### <mark style="color:blue;">Exercise 1</mark>

1. Yesterday I fell running and I think I <mark style="color:orange;">**might have sprained**</mark> my ankle.

{% hint style="info" %}
We use <mark style="color:green;">**might/may have + past participle**</mark> to say that it’s possible that something was true or happened in the past.
{% endhint %}

2. He 's <mark style="color:orange;">**bound to win**</mark> the competition. He's the best by far.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:green;">**Bound**</mark> and <mark style="color:green;">**sure**</mark> are adjectives that are used to say that we are quite sure that something will be true or happen. We use them in the structure <mark style="color:green;">**be bound/sure + to**</mark> infinitive.

We could also say, 'He will definitely win.'
{% endhint %}

3. The light in Scot's room is on. He <mark style="color:orange;">**must be playing**</mark> computer games.

{% hint style="info" %}
We are sure that he is playing computer games now.\
We use <mark style="color:green;">**must be + –ing**</mark> to say that we are quite sure that something is happening now.
{% endhint %}

4. He <mark style="color:orange;">**can't speak**</mark> German very well. He's only lived in Germany for one month.

{% hint style="info" %}
We are sure that he isn't able to speak german in the present (NOT in the past or future).\
We can use <mark style="color:green;">**can’t + infinitive**</mark> to say that we are quite sure that something is NOT true.
{% endhint %}

5. A: The burglar broke into our home in daylight. B: Then some of your neighbours <mark style="color:orange;">**might have seen**</mark> him.

{% hint style="info" %}
We need to express past possibility.\
We use <mark style="color:green;">**might/may have + past participle**</mark> to say that it was possible that something was true or happened in the past.
{% endhint %}

6. I <mark style="color:orange;">**could have earned**</mark> a lot as an accounting manager, but the job was just too boring.

{% hint style="info" %}
We can use <mark style="color:green;">**could have + past participle**</mark> to say that something was possible in the past, although it did not happen.
{% endhint %}

7. This song <mark style="color:orange;">**is sure**</mark> <mark style="color:orange;">**to be**</mark> the next big hit.

{% hint style="info" %}
We can use <mark style="color:green;">**be bound/sure + to infinitive**</mark> to say that we are quite sure that something will be true or happen in the future.\
We could also say, 'This song will definitely be...'
{% endhint %}

8. He <mark style="color:orange;">**is unlikely to go**</mark> to prison for the theft because he has no previous criminal record.

{% hint style="info" %}
If something is <mark style="color:green;">**is unlikely to happen**</mark> it means that it probably won’t happen.\
We can say <mark style="color:green;">**something is likely/unlikely to happen**</mark> or <mark style="color:green;">**it is likely/unlikely that something will happen**</mark>.
{% endhint %}

9. A: Have you seen the cat? I can't find him. B: Have you checked under the bed? He <mark style="color:orange;">**may be hiding**</mark> there.

{% hint style="info" %}
We use <mark style="color:green;">**might/may be + –ing**</mark> to say that it’s possible that something is happening now (but we are not sure).
{% endhint %}

10. You <mark style="color:orange;">**should have received**</mark> a copy on the contract at the email address you provided the day after you signed.

{% hint style="info" %}
We use <mark style="color:green;">**should have + past particle**</mark> to say that something was supposed or expected to happen in the past.
{% endhint %}