Transcript Conclusions: Must, Have (got) to, May, Might

11
Conclusions: Must,
Have (got) to, May,
Might, Could, Can’t
A Visit to the
Doctor
Focus on Grammar 3
Part VIII, Unit 37
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Am I OK?
Well, I have
What could
terrible pain
the problem
in my
be?
stomach.
So, what
There
are
seems
to be
several
the
problem?
We’ll
need to
possibilities.
take some
X-rays and
do some
tests to find
out.
Meaning
We often make guesses and draw conclusions about
present situations using the information we have.
Positive
100% Certain
must
have (got) to
may
Negative
can’t, couldn’t
We use modals to show how
not we are
certain must
or uncertain
aboutmay
our conclusions.
not
might, could
might not
0% Certain
Affirmative Conclusions
When we are almost 100% certain, we use must, have
to, or have got to to state affirmative conclusions.
Mr. Jones
must
have
I looked
at all
the test
anI ulcer.
results, and
talked to the
patient. I believe that…
He has to be in pain.
He’s got to be very
uncomfortable.
Possibilities
When we are less certain about our conclusion, we use may,
might, or could to express that something is possible.
I see something
unusual.
Mr. Jones could have
an ulcer.
He may have an
infection.
He might be very
sick.
Practice 1
100% Certain
must
have (got) to
may
might, could
0% Certain
An X-ray of the heart
and lungs.
Look at each part of the photograph one
at a time. Try to guess what it is.
Increase the certainty of your guesses by
using the appropriate modals.
This might be …
Negative Conclusions 1
Use can’t and couldn’t when you are almost 100% certain
that something is impossible. Use must not when you are
slightly less certain.
It can’t be an
The X-rays
infection.
look good.
The patient couldn’t
have heartburn.
It must not be
serious.
Negative Conclusions 2
Use may not and might not when you are
even less certain.
Your illness might not
be serious.
You may not need to
stay in the hospital.
Questions
Use can and could in questions.
What can the
The test results
problem be?
are not clear.
Could the patient
need surgery?
Look at the objects under a
microscope. Ask and answer
questions about possibility. Use
positive and negative modals.
Practice 2
Example:
1.
It may be a
Itfeather.
must be
cotton fibers.
3.
2.
5.
It can’t be
What
could
skin.
it be?
4.
stomach of a spider (#5)
eye of an insect (#2)
a feather (#3)
cotton fibers (Example)
tongue of a snail (#4)
skin (#1)
Short Answers
In short answers, use a modal alone.
He may not.
The surgeon
He has to.
might
He was in a
operate first.
serious
accident.
Does
Does the
he
patient
need a
have
cast?a
broken
bone?
Be Careful!
Use be in short answers to questions that
include be.
Could that
be an image
of my brain?
Ohnot
wait.
It
I’m
sure.
has
to
be.
It might be.
I see the
brain stem.
Ask and answer questions
about the X-rays. Use
short answers.
Practice 3
Possible Questions
Possible Answers
Could that X-ray
be
a
knee?
Can X-ray #___ be a ___?
It has to be./It’s
got tobe.
be.
It might
1.
2.
Could X-ray # ___ be a ___?
It may/might/could be.
Example:
knee
shoulder
brain
References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.