Conclusions: Must, Have (got) to, May, Might, Could, Can’t

A Visit to the Doctor

11

Focus on Grammar 3Part VIII, Unit 37By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Am I OK?Am I OK?

So, what seems to be

the problem?Well, I have terrible pain

in my stomach.

Well, I have terrible pain

in my stomach.

What could the problem

be?

We’ll need to take some X-rays and

do some tests to find

out.

There are several

possibilities.

MeaningMeaning

We often make guesses and draw conclusions about present situations using the information we have.

We use modals to show how certain or uncertain we are

about our conclusions.

We use modals to show how certain or uncertain we are

about our conclusions.

mustmust

have (got) tohave (got) to

maymay

might, couldmight, could

can’t, couldn’t

must not

may not

might not

100% Certain

0% Certain

Positive Negative

Affirmative ConclusionsAffirmative Conclusions

When we are almost 100% certain, we use must, have to, or have got to to state affirmative conclusions.

I looked at all the test results, and I talked to the patient. I believe that…

Mr. Jones must have an ulcer.

He has to be in pain.

He’s got to be very uncomfortable.

PossibilitiesPossibilities

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 1Practice 1Look 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.

must

have (got) to

may

might, could

100% Certain

0% Certain

An X-ray of the heart and lungs.

This might be …This might be …

Negative Conclusions 1Negative 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.

The X-rays look good.

It can’t be an infection.

The patient couldn’t have heartburn.

It must not be serious.

Use may not and might not when you are even less certain.

Negative Conclusions 2Negative Conclusions 2

Your illness might not be serious.

You may not need to stay in the hospital.

QuestionsQuestions

Use can and could in questions.

The test results are not clear.

What can the problem be?

Could the patient need surgery?

It may be a feather. What could

it be?

5.It can’t be

skin.

Practice 2Practice 2Look at the objects under a microscope. Ask and answer questions about possibility. Use positive and negative modals.

stomach of a spider eye of an insect a feather

cotton fibers tongue of a snail skin

Example:

It must be cotton fibers.

1. 2.

3. 4.

(Example) (#1)

(#2) (#3)

(#4)

(#5)

Short AnswersShort Answers

He may notmay not. The surgeon

might operate first.

In short answers, use a modal alone.

Does the patient have a broken bone?

Does he need a cast?He has tohas to.

He was in a serious

accident.

Be Careful!Be Careful!

Use be in short answers to questions that include be.

Oh wait. It has to be.

I see the brain stem.

Could that be an image of my brain?

I’m not sure. It might be.

Practice 3Practice 3Ask and answer questions about the X-rays. Use short answers.

Possible Questions

Could X-ray # ___ be a ___?

Can X-ray #___ be a ___?

Possible Answers

It has to be./It’s got to be.

It may/might/could be.

knee brain

1. 2.

Example:

shoulder

It might be.Could that X-ray

be a knee?

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.

ReferencesReferences