Advanced Grammar B2

Advanced Modals: Deduction & Speculation

Master sophisticated modal verbs for expressing deduction, speculation, and probability in executive business contexts and strategic analysis.

Use modal verbs to express different levels of certainty about present situations based on evidence or logical reasoning.

Strong Certainty (95-99%)

Must + be/verb: Logical deduction based on evidence

  • • The CEO must be pleased - she's smiling broadly
  • • They must have significant capital - they just acquired three companies
  • • The market must be recovering - all indices are up

Expected/Logical (80-90%)

Should + be/verb: Expectation based on normal circumstances

  • • The report should be ready by now
  • • Sales should increase during the holiday season
  • • The merger should go through without issues

Possibility (30-70%)

Might/May/Could + be/verb: Uncertain possibility

  • • The competitor might be planning a new product launch
  • • Interest rates could rise next quarter
  • • The client may change their requirements

Impossibility (0-5%)

Can't + be/verb: Logical impossibility

  • • They can't be serious about that price
  • • The results can't be accurate
  • • The project can't be finished that quickly
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