Model Verbs of Probability

1 Put in must or can't.

  1. You've been travelling all day. You be tired.
  2. That restaurant be very good. It's always full of people.
  3. That restaurant be very good. It's always empty.
  4. I'm sure I gave you the key. You have it. Have you looked in your bag?
  5. You're going on holiday next week. You be looking forward to it.
  6. It rained every day during their holiday, so they have had a very nice time.
  7. Congratulations on passing your exam. You be very pleased.
  8. You got here very quickly. You have walked very fast.
  9. 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.

  1. I've lost one of my gloves. I must it somewhere.
  2. They haven't lived here for very long. They can't many people.
  3. Ted isn't at work today. He must ill.
  4. Ted wasn't at work last week. He must ill.
  5. (the doorbell rings) I wonder who that is. It can't Mary. She's still at work at this time.
  6. Sarah knows a lot about films. She must to the cinema a lot.
  7. Look. James is putting on his hat and coat. He must out.
  8. I left my bike outside the house last night and now it has gone. Somebody must it.
  9. Amy was in a very difficult situation when she lost her job. It can't easy for her.
  10. 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.

  1. The phone rang, but I didn't hear it. (I / asleep)
  2. Sue hasn't contacted me. (she / get / my message)
  3. The jacket you bought is very good quality. (it / very expensive)
  4. I haven't seen the people next door for ages. (they / go away)
  5. I can't find my umbrella. (I / leave / it in the restaurant last night)
  6. Dave, who is usually very friendly, walked past me without speaking. (he / see / me)
  7. There was a man standing outside the café. (he / wait / for somebody)
  8. Liz did the opposite of what I asked her to do. (she / understand / what I said)
  9. When I got back to my car, the door was unlocked. (I / forget / to lock it)
  10. I was woken up in the night by the noise next door. (the neighbours / have / a party)
  11. 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.

  1. Она, должно быть, сейчас работает.
  2. Он не может быть дома.
  3. Они, должно быть, уже ушли.
  4. Она, должно быть, ждёт кого-то у входа.
  5. Он не может читать сейчас.
  6. Ты, должно быть, забыл закрыть дверь.
  7. Они, должно быть, обсуждают этот вопрос прямо сейчас.
  8. Он не может говорить правду.
  9. Она, должно быть, много работала, чтобы закончить проект.
  10. Они не могли забыть о встрече.