Deduction & Speculation Exercises
Online exercises on modals of deduction and speculation — must be, can't be, could be, might be, and may be — with answers and explanations. Practise modal verbs of probability and certainty for present and past deduction, including past modals of probability such as must have, can't have, and could have + past participle. Multiple choice questions, worksheets, and printable PDF exercises from B1 to B2. 5 exercise sets with 100 questions (B1 - C1 Level).
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Must & Can't: Present Deduction Exercises
Deduction & Speculation Exercises
The Certainty Scale: Must, May, Might, Could & Can't Exercises
Deduction & Speculation Exercises
Speculation About the Present: Must Be, Can't Be & Might Be + -ing Exercises
Deduction & Speculation Exercises
“The office light is on and I can hear typing. Someone ___ in there.”
B1 ReadingNEWStorms Threaten 90 Million Across US Midwest
This week, dangerous storms could hit the central United States. More than 90 million people are at risk. The National W…
Past Deduction & Probability: Must Have, Can't Have & Could Have Exercises
Deduction & Speculation Exercises
“The streets are wet this morning. It ___ during the night.”
B2 ReadingNEWSevere Storms Threaten 90 Million in US Midwest
Severe storms are set to hit the central United States this week, putting more than 90 million people at risk. The Natio…
Advanced Speculation: Must Have Been Doing & Complex Modal Deduction
Deduction & Speculation Exercises
“When I got home at midnight, the kitchen was a mess — flour everywhere, dirty bowls in the sink, and the oven was still warm. Someone ___ all evening.”
C1 ReadingNEWSevere Storms Threaten 90 Million Across US Midwest
Severe storms are expected to affect more than 90 million people across the central United States this week, with the Na…
Why practice Deduction & Speculation exercises?
These exercises help you master modals of deduction and speculation in English. Start with must and can't to make strong deductions about the present — drawing logical conclusions from evidence and clues at B1 level. Then learn to use the full certainty scale from must (almost certain) through may, might, and could (possible) to can't (impossible). Next, practise speculating about what is happening right now using must be, can't be, and might be + -ing. Finally, take on advanced past probability and past deduction exercises with must have, can't have, and could have + past participle to draw conclusions about what happened in the past at B2 level.