Model Verbs of Probability
1 Put in must or can't.
- You've been travelling all day. You be tired.
- That restaurant be very good. It's always full of people.
- That restaurant be very good. It's always empty.
- I'm sure I gave you the key. You have it. Have you looked in your bag?
- You're going on holiday next week. You be looking forward to it.
- It rained every day during their holiday, so they have had a very nice time.
- Congratulations on passing your exam. You be very pleased.
- You got here very quickly. You have walked very fast.
- Bill and Sue always travel business class, so they be short of money.
2 Complete each sentence with a verb (one or two words) in the correct form.
- I've lost one of my gloves. I must it somewhere.
- They haven't lived here for very long. They can't many people.
- Ted isn't at work today. He must ill.
- Ted wasn't at work last week. He must ill.
- (the doorbell rings) I wonder who that is. It can't Mary. She's still at work at this time.
- Sarah knows a lot about films. She must to the cinema a lot.
- Look. James is putting on his hat and coat. He must out.
- I left my bike outside the house last night and now it has gone. Somebody must it.
- Amy was in a very difficult situation when she lost her job. It can't easy for her.
- There is a man walking behind us. He has been walking behind us for the last twenty minutes. He must us.
3 Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with must have and can't have.
- The phone rang, but I didn't hear it. (I / asleep)
- Sue hasn't contacted me. (she / get / my message)
- The jacket you bought is very good quality. (it / very expensive)
- I haven't seen the people next door for ages. (they / go away)
- I can't find my umbrella. (I / leave / it in the restaurant last night)
- Dave, who is usually very friendly, walked past me without speaking. (he / see / me)
- There was a man standing outside the café. (he / wait / for somebody)
- Liz did the opposite of what I asked her to do. (she / understand / what I said)
- When I got back to my car, the door was unlocked. (I / forget / to lock it)
- I was woken up in the night by the noise next door. (the neighbours / have / a party)
- The light was red, but the car didn't stop. (the driver / see / the red light)
4. Translate the blue sentences into English using must or can't.
Use simple, continuous, or perfect infinitives to express probability.
- Она, должно быть, сейчас работает.
- Он не может быть дома.
- Они, должно быть, уже ушли.
- Она, должно быть, ждёт кого-то у входа.
- Он не может читать сейчас.
- Ты, должно быть, забыл закрыть дверь.
- Они, должно быть, обсуждают этот вопрос прямо сейчас.
- Он не может говорить правду.
- Она, должно быть, много работала, чтобы закончить проект.
- Они не могли забыть о встрече.