Modal Auxiliary Verbs
We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on. Remember to never use two modal verbs one after another. They don't have their past participle forms due to which they are also known as "Defective verbs."
Should
Prepared by: Sir Faisal Amin
1a) We use should + verb 1st form to say what is the right or the sensible action to do in a situation. We can also use should to advise sb to do sth.
eg) We should pay attention to our study.
eg) You should try once again.
eg) You are ill. You should see/meet your doctor.
eg) She is tired. She should take rest.
eg) You should mind your own business.
eg) You should wear a helmet during riding bike.
eg) Teacher should scold the students.
eg) We shouldn’t accuse each other of nothing.
eg) We should offer Namaz five times a day.
eg) She should come to office in time.
Note: We can use Should (in AmE ) in questions for taking suggestions. In (BrE) we can use Shall in the same way.
eg) Should/shall we leave?
eg) Should/shall I try again?
eg) What should/shall we do now?
eg) Where should/shall we go to eat?
eg) Who should/shall I meet in this matter/regard?
eg) When should/shall I call you again?
eg) How should/shall I tell her the truth?
eg) How much money should/shall I borrow?
eg) Why should we stay here?
1b) We use should + have + verb 3rd form to say sth expected didn’t happen.
eg) I should have kept my promise/words.
eg) You should have given them another chance.
eg) We should have stood by each other in difficulties.
eg) He should have forgiven his brother for his mistakes.
eg) She should have allowed her child to play outdoors.
eg) It shouldn’t have happened.
eg) You shouldn’t have raised your voice before your father.
eg) Who should have come first?
eg) What should I have done then?
eg) How should I have started the discussion?
2a) We use should + be + verb1st form + ing to say what we are expecting isn’t happening.
eg) I should be taking the class now.
eg) You should be taking rest.
eg) We should be preparing for the exams.
eg) They should be practicing for the final.
eg) What should I be doing now?
eg) Who should be teaching in the class?
eg) Children should be playing in the ground.
eg) Students should be cheating in the absence of the invigilator.
eg) She shouldn’t be crying like this.
eg) He shouldn’t be talking to his father rudely.
2b) We use should + have + been + verb1st form + ing to say what we were expecting wasn’t happening.
eg) I should have been sitting in the class attentively.
eg) We shouldn’t have been arguing with each other.
eg) Should they have been welcoming the guests?
eg) Shouldn’t all the students have been singing the National Anthem enthusiastically?
eg) Where should the watchman have been sleeping?
eg) He should have been serving tea to the guests.
eg) She shouldn’t have been tolerating your behavior.
eg) Shouldn’t he have been driving carefully?
eg) We should have been helping each other.
eg) Everybody should have been performing their duty.
3a) We use should + be + extra words for the present states.
eg) She should be ready for the party now.
eg) I shouldn’t be disappointed.
eg) Should she be OK after failing the exams?
eg) Shouldn’t he be tired after the match?
eg) Where should he be now?
eg) Who should be with you?
eg) It shouldn’t be difficult for you to convince the boss.
eg) Should we be satisfied?
eg) She should be somewhere on the second floor.
eg) We shouldn’t be compelled to work.
3b) We use should + have + been + verb 3rd form for the past states.
eg) You should have been with your mother in the hospital.
eg) The weather should have been pleasant after the rain.
eg) The patient should have been relieved after the medicine.
eg) Yesterday should have been a holiday.
eg) Children should have been happy after getting chocolates.
eg) She shouldn’t have been at the party.
eg) Shouldn’t I have been with the family on this occasion?
eg) Who should have been with me at the meeting?
eg) Fruits shouldn’t have been costly.
eg) Why should the shops have been closed?
4a) We use should + have + extra words for the present states
eg) I should have my own car.
eg) You shouldn’t have authority.
eg) Shouldn’t I have my own mobile?
eg) How much money should I have to start a business?
eg) We should have money to spend according to our wish.
eg) She should have the courage to make her decision herself.
eg) What reason should I have to be away?
eg) Why shouldn’t I have a chance to go abroad?
4b) We use should + have + had + extra words for the past states.
eg) I should have had enough money to buy the car.
eg) You shouldn’t have had headache after the meeting.
eg) Should the mobile have had balance?
eg) Flood victims should have had enough food to survive.
eg) Listeners should have questions in their minds after the seminar.
eg) They should have had hygienic food in their restaurant.
eg) I should have had a suitable reason to take a day off.
eg) We should have had sugar free food items for diabetics.
eg) Camera should have had battery backup for more snaps.
eg) Shouldn’t I have had the authority to take a decision?
We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on. Remember to never use two modal verbs one after another. They don't have their past participle forms due to which they are also known as "Defective verbs."
Should
Prepared by: Sir Faisal Amin
1a) We use should + verb 1st form to say what is the right or the sensible action to do in a situation. We can also use should to advise sb to do sth.
eg) We should pay attention to our study.
eg) You should try once again.
eg) You are ill. You should see/meet your doctor.
eg) She is tired. She should take rest.
eg) You should mind your own business.
eg) You should wear a helmet during riding bike.
eg) Teacher should scold the students.
eg) We shouldn’t accuse each other of nothing.
eg) We should offer Namaz five times a day.
eg) She should come to office in time.
Note: We can use Should (in AmE ) in questions for taking suggestions. In (BrE) we can use Shall in the same way.
eg) Should/shall we leave?
eg) Should/shall I try again?
eg) What should/shall we do now?
eg) Where should/shall we go to eat?
eg) Who should/shall I meet in this matter/regard?
eg) When should/shall I call you again?
eg) How should/shall I tell her the truth?
eg) How much money should/shall I borrow?
eg) Why should we stay here?
1b) We use should + have + verb 3rd form to say sth expected didn’t happen.
eg) I should have kept my promise/words.
eg) You should have given them another chance.
eg) We should have stood by each other in difficulties.
eg) He should have forgiven his brother for his mistakes.
eg) She should have allowed her child to play outdoors.
eg) It shouldn’t have happened.
eg) You shouldn’t have raised your voice before your father.
eg) Who should have come first?
eg) What should I have done then?
eg) How should I have started the discussion?
2a) We use should + be + verb1st form + ing to say what we are expecting isn’t happening.
eg) I should be taking the class now.
eg) You should be taking rest.
eg) We should be preparing for the exams.
eg) They should be practicing for the final.
eg) What should I be doing now?
eg) Who should be teaching in the class?
eg) Children should be playing in the ground.
eg) Students should be cheating in the absence of the invigilator.
eg) She shouldn’t be crying like this.
eg) He shouldn’t be talking to his father rudely.
2b) We use should + have + been + verb1st form + ing to say what we were expecting wasn’t happening.
eg) I should have been sitting in the class attentively.
eg) We shouldn’t have been arguing with each other.
eg) Should they have been welcoming the guests?
eg) Shouldn’t all the students have been singing the National Anthem enthusiastically?
eg) Where should the watchman have been sleeping?
eg) He should have been serving tea to the guests.
eg) She shouldn’t have been tolerating your behavior.
eg) Shouldn’t he have been driving carefully?
eg) We should have been helping each other.
eg) Everybody should have been performing their duty.
3a) We use should + be + extra words for the present states.
eg) She should be ready for the party now.
eg) I shouldn’t be disappointed.
eg) Should she be OK after failing the exams?
eg) Shouldn’t he be tired after the match?
eg) Where should he be now?
eg) Who should be with you?
eg) It shouldn’t be difficult for you to convince the boss.
eg) Should we be satisfied?
eg) She should be somewhere on the second floor.
eg) We shouldn’t be compelled to work.
3b) We use should + have + been + verb 3rd form for the past states.
eg) You should have been with your mother in the hospital.
eg) The weather should have been pleasant after the rain.
eg) The patient should have been relieved after the medicine.
eg) Yesterday should have been a holiday.
eg) Children should have been happy after getting chocolates.
eg) She shouldn’t have been at the party.
eg) Shouldn’t I have been with the family on this occasion?
eg) Who should have been with me at the meeting?
eg) Fruits shouldn’t have been costly.
eg) Why should the shops have been closed?
4a) We use should + have + extra words for the present states
eg) I should have my own car.
eg) You shouldn’t have authority.
eg) Shouldn’t I have my own mobile?
eg) How much money should I have to start a business?
eg) We should have money to spend according to our wish.
eg) She should have the courage to make her decision herself.
eg) What reason should I have to be away?
eg) Why shouldn’t I have a chance to go abroad?
4b) We use should + have + had + extra words for the past states.
eg) I should have had enough money to buy the car.
eg) You shouldn’t have had headache after the meeting.
eg) Should the mobile have had balance?
eg) Flood victims should have had enough food to survive.
eg) Listeners should have questions in their minds after the seminar.
eg) They should have had hygienic food in their restaurant.
eg) I should have had a suitable reason to take a day off.
eg) We should have had sugar free food items for diabetics.
eg) Camera should have had battery backup for more snaps.
eg) Shouldn’t I have had the authority to take a decision?
Can and Could
Ability
1) Present ability:For general present ability, we use can or be (is/am/are) able to
Can (informal)
eg) She can speak English.
eg) She can’t speak English.
eg) Can she speak English?
eg) Can’t she speak English?
Be able to (formal)
eg) She is able to speak English.
eg) She isn’t able to speak English.
eg) Is she able to speak English?
eg) Isn’t she able to speak English?
eg) I can speak many languages.
eg) The child can’t sleep in such a noisy environment.
eg) Can you solve this question without calculator?
eg) Can’t you ride a horse?
eg) Why can’t you drive the car?
eg) Who can beat him?
eg) How many songs can you sing?
eg) How much pain can you bear/tolerate/endure?
eg) I can’t make you cry.
eg) What can you do to help me?
eg) We can’t argue with our father.
eg) Can you stay awake/up the whole night?
eg) Nobody can persuade you.
eg) I can’t see clearly without my glasses.
eg) Can you borrow money from your friend?
eg) Can you deceive your own brother?
eg) She can easily apologize to her mother.
eg) I can’t act on your advice.
eg) Can you cancel the picnic for me?
eg) We can’t forget that picnic.
eg) Can’t you try even once?
eg) My mother can’t bear such behavior.
eg) Can you continue to talk?
eg) Can you mother neglect you?
eg) You can’t accuse me of stealing your wallet.
eg) Can you afford to take a week off?
eg) I can’t wait any longer.
eg) She can swear to lie.
eg) He can’t refuse to cooperate.
eg) She can pretend to cry.
eg) Can you find the solution to this problem?
eg) I can’t complete my work without your help.
eg) We can’t complain about the manager.
2) We use have/has been able to say we are now able to do something due to past efforts.
eg) She has been able to run business.
eg) I haven’t been able to understand.
eg) Have students been able to learn the poem by heart?
eg)We have been able to control this problem.
eg) How much have you been able to save?
eg) Child has been able to stay at home alone.
eg) Have you been able to forget that accident?
eg) My brother has been able to study without help.
eg) I have been able to take good pictures.
eg) She has been able to control the class.
eg) Haven’t you been able to resolve this matter yet?
eg) The patient has been able to walk slowly after some sessions of Physiotherapy.
eg) The researchers haven’t been able to find a solution to cancer.
eg) I haven’t been able to dispatch the letters yet.
eg) We haven’t been able to pay back the loan.
Future abilityWe normally use will be able to talk about future ability.
eg) We’ll be able to speak good English in a few months.
eg) One day, people will be able to go to the moon on holiday.
►However, we use Can if we are deciding now about the future.eg) I don’t have time today but I can see you tomorrow.
eg) Can you come to a party on Saturday?
Past ability1) We use could for “general ability” –to say that somebody could do something at any time, whenever he/she wanted. (Was/were able is also possible.)
Could (informal)
eg) She could speak English.
eg) She couldn’t speak English.
eg) Could she speak English?
eg) Couldn’t she speak English?
Was/were able (formal)
eg) She was able to speak English.
eg) She wasn’t able to speak English.
eg) Was she able to speak English?
eg) Wasn’t she able to speak English?
eg) She could read when she was four.
eg) My father could speak ten languages.
eg) I could swim well in my school days.
eg) Ali could walk five miles daily.
eg) When she was eight she could play piano.
eg) My mother could cook delicious/yummy dishes.
eg) I could stay up/awake the whole night.
eg) She could type letters all the day long.
eg) When I was rich I could go anywhere.
eg) She could type 90 words per minute.
eg) He could climb any tree whenever he wanted.
eg) When he was in the circus, he could walk on his hands.
eg) She could play chess when she was six.
2) We use was/were able to talk about an action in a particular situation, when someone had the ability to do something and did it. But in negatives, we preferably use Couldn’t.
eg) The injured man was able to walk to a nearby hospital. NOT The injured man could …
eg) I was able to convince him easily.
eg) Were you able to understand without explanation?
eg) I couldn’t come back on time.
eg) Weren’t policemen able to arrest the criminals?
eg) What were you able to do?
eg) Was she able to get admission in university?
eg) I couldn’t contact all my friends.
3) In certain cases, it is possible to use Could to say that somebody was able to do something on one occasion. This happens with see, hear, taste, feel, smell, understand, remember and guess.
eg) I could smell burning.
eg) I could understand everything.
eg) We could hear their cries.
eg) She couldn’t remember where she had seen me.
eg) I could feel cold.
eg) After putting on my glasses I could see things very clearly.
4) We can also use Could+ hardly/only +verb1st form to refer to one occasion.eg) I could only get six eggs.
eg) She could hardly believe me.
eg) I could hardly understand the first five minutes of the movie.
eg) We could hardly take the patient to the hospital.
eg) They could hardly win the match.
eg) Children could hardly watch their favourite program.
eg) Patient could only survive for half an hour.
eg) She could hardly apologize to her mother.
eg) My friends could only stay for two days.
eg) He could only take two spicy bites.
5) We use Could+have+verb3rd form to say that somebody was able to do something but didn’t try to do it.
we can also use this structure for something which was possible to happen but didn’t happen.
eg) You could have helped me.
eg) I could have won the race.
eg) You could have lent money to your friend.
eg) She could have got first position.
eg) The boy could have climbed the wall easily.
eg) You could have lied to save me.
eg) We could have stopped at the signal.
eg) It could have rained.
eg) you could have fallen down on your face.
eg) She could have answered you back.
eg) Police could have arrested you.
eg) Principal could have turned down your application.
eg) She could have got angry.
eg) What could you have done?
6) We use Couldn’t + have + verb 3rd form to say that something was impossible to happen.
eg) I couldn’t have won the race so I didn’t take part in it.
eg) She couldn’t have seen because of pitch darkness.
eg) We couldn’t have taken the patient to the hospital due to strike.
eg) He couldn’t have informed you because he was compelled.
eg) I couldn’t have bought the house because I didn’t have enough money.
eg) My mother couldn’t have walked because she was very tired.
eg) Your friend couldn’t have replied because he was frightened.
eg) These students couldn’t have continued their education because they didn’t have enough money.
eg) He couldn’t have slept due to noise.
Permissions
1) For taking permissions we have the following ways:
a) Can I …? It is informal way of taking permission so shouldn’t be used to the seniors, elders or the people
we respect.
b) Could I …? It is used in both formal and informal way.
c) May I…? It is the most polite and formal way and preferably used in written English.
d) Might I …? It is used when the speaker feels hesitation to ask for the permission.
2) For giving permissions we use can (infml) and may (fml)
eg) Could I ask you a question? ~ yes, you can/may.
3) For not giving permissions we have can’t/mayn’teg) Could I ask you a question? ~ No, you can’t/mayn’t.
Reporting permissionCan and Could are also used to talk about permission that has already been given or refused, and about things that are (or are not) allowed by rules and laws.
eg) She said I could come as often as I liked.
In talking about the past, we use could to say that somebody had permission to do sth at any time (general permission), but we don’t use could to talk about permission for one particular action in the past.
Compare:
►When I was a child, I could watch TV whenever I wanted to.
►Yesterday evening, Asif was allowed to watch TV for an hour.
(NOT… Asif could watch TV for an hour)
But Could not can be used to talk about one particular action that was not allowed.
Peter couldn’t watch TV yesterday because he was naughty.
Note: The difference between could and was/were allowed is similar to the difference between could and was/were able)
May
Might
eg) I may try again.
eg) I mayn’t try again.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Am I likely to try again?
eg) Aren’t I likely to try again?
eg) I might try again.
eg) I mightn’t try again.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
Possibilities
We use may/might for possibility. “May” expresses 50% chances and “Might” 30% chances.
1a) We use may/might + verb 1st form to say that something is possible to happen in the future.
Note: We can use (be + likely + to) for affirmatives and negatives too in a formal way.
eg) I’m likely to try again.(= I may try again)
eg) I’m not likely to try again. (= I mayn’t try again)
eg) It may rain.
eg) Are we likely to leave for Canada tomorrow?
eg) Some students may fail.
eg) Am I not likely to convince my mother?
eg) Is he likely to win the game?
eg) Are they likely to agree?
eg) She may get angry?
eg) She may accuse me of poisoning her dog.
eg) He mayn’t agree with you.
eg) My father mayn’t agree to my suggestion.
eg) Is she likely to get angry with me?
eg) Teacher may get angry at my behavior.
eg) We may apologize to him for our silly mistake.
eg) He mayn’t believe anybody.
eg) They may congratulate you on your exam results.
eg) You may crash into the car in front.
eg) She may die from/of her injuries.
eg) Aren’t you likely to get disappointed with me?
eg) I may have a long discussion about politics with you.
eg) We may divide this task into three parts.
eg) She may enter into our discussion.
eg) Is he likely to explain this rule to me?
eg) The child may get into the taxi.
eg) We may get off the train in ten minutes.
eg) He mayn’t like the idea of selling the house.
eg) They may insist on paying later.
eg) Students mayn’t take interest in grammar.
eg) Aren’t people likely to laugh at you?
eg) She mayn’t listen to us.
eg) Is she likely to stop looking after me?
eg) Is he likely to start looking for the job?
eg) He may get married to his cousin.
May
Might
eg) He may have tried again.
eg) He mayn’t have tried again.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is he likely to have tried again?
eg) Isn’t he likely to have tried again?
eg) He might have tried again.
eg) He mightn’t have tried again.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
1b) We use may/might + have + verb 3rd form to say that something (has) possibly happened.
eg) You may have forgotten something.
eg) She mayn’t have tried seriously.
eg) He may have come on Friday.
eg) Is Asif likely to have forgotten to take medicine?
eg) You may have got nervous.
eg) Are children likely to have got tired?
eg) They may have stayed awake/up the whole night.
eg) The noise may have prevented him from sleeping.
eg) They mayn’t have tried to know the reason for the accident.
eg) He may have forgotten to remind me of the meeting.
eg) Peter may have run into(=meet) his sister on the way to the market.
eg) Guards may have searched everybody’s luggage.
eg) Are custom officers likely to have searched for(=look for) the drugs?
eg) Aren’t you likely to have shouted at(=aggressive) her?
eg) Mary may have shouted to(=call to) us for the tea.
eg) She may have felt sorry for your loss.
eg) Isn’t my sister likely to have taken part in the game?
eg) Naughty boys may have thrown stones at(=aggressive) the cars.
eg) He may have tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.
eg) He mayn’t have bargained for this. (= not prepared for)
eg) Eggs mayn’t have agreed with me. (=have a bad effect)
eg) She may have burst into tears.
eg) Isn’t the robber likely to have come at her with a knife? (=attacked)
eg) He may have come by this scratch during the quarrel. (=obtain)
2a) We use may/might + be + verb 1st form + ing to say that something is possibly happening now.
May
Might
eg) She may be cooking.
eg) She mayn’t be cooking.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to be cooking?
eg) Isn’t she likely to be cooking?
eg) She might be cooking.
eg) She mightn’t be cooking.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) She may be getting nervous.
eg) I mayn’t be pronouncing the word correctly.
eg) Are they likely to be practicing in the ground?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be shopping now?
eg) The patient may be pulling through (=recovering)
eg) She may be taking offence. (=bura manana)
eg) Kids may be watching cartoon movie now.
eg) They may be appealing for me in court.
eg) You may be asking for trouble(=inviting it)
eg) Is she likely to be banking on(=rely) his help?
eg) They mayn’t be bearing with (=listen patiently) me.
eg) Is he likely to be breaking with(=breaking relation) her?
eg) They may be calling on me tomorrow. (=visit)
eg) He may be counting on your help.(=rely)
eg) She may be dictating to others.(=order)
eg) They may be digging at me.(=finding faults)
eg) Bills may be eating into my savings.(=using up)
eg) She may be flying into a rage.(=becoming very angry)
eg) Are they likely to be getting into trouble?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be getting over his illness? (=recovering from)
eg) The dog may be going for the postman. (=attacking)
eg) Are our neighbours likely to be objecting to us?
eg) They may be pretending to be ignorant.
eg) Are children likely to be pretending to be asleep?
2b) We use may/might + have +been + verb 1st form + ing to say that something was possibly happening.
May
Might
eg) She may have been cooking.
eg) She mayn’t have been cooking.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have been cooking?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have been cooking?
eg) She might have been cooking.
eg) She mightn’t have been cooking.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) They may have been trying to convince me to take admission.
eg) It may have been drizzling yesterday.
eg) The members of the committee may have been discussing the same problem.
eg) You may have been waiting for me.
eg) Is she likely to have been joking?
eg) The child may have been tossing and turning in bed.
eg) Isn’t he likely to have been listening to the radio?
eg) You may have been keeping a secret from me.(=not tell)
eg) Police mayn’t have been looking into this case thoroughly.(=investigating)
eg) Is she likely to have been thinking about something interesting?
eg) Some people may have been conspiring against me.
eg) You mayn’t have been backing out of your promise.
eg) We may have been deceiving ourselves.
eg) Are they likely to have been celebrating their brother’s birthday with enthusiasm?
eg) Aren’t children likely to have been playing hide and seek?
eg) Aren’t people likely to have been setting vehicles ablaze?
eg) Somebody may have been dashing your hopes.(= Umeedon per pani pherna)
eg) I may have been behaving strangely.
eg) You may have been accusing everybody.
eg) I may have been having difficulty understanding the poetry.
eg) They may have been protesting against us.
eg) Is she likely to have been making a lame excuse?
eg) He may have been losing his self-respect.
eg) Aren’t they likely to have been lying to save their faces?
eg) Child may have been missing his mother.
3a) We use may/might + be + extra words for the possible states in the present.
May
Might
eg) She may be a teacher.
eg) She mayn’t be a teacher.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to be a teacher?
eg) Isn’t she likely to be a teacher?
eg) She might be a teacher.
eg) She mightn’t be a teacher.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) You may be worried.
eg) She mayn’t be ready to give presentation.
eg) Are players likely to be in the ground?
eg) Is she likely to be happy after the result?
eg) Pizza may be in the fridge.
eg) Child may be scared.
eg) Are they likely to be interested?
eg) She may be overjoyed after getting the first position in the class.
eg) Is she likely to be ready to face the consequence?
eg) It may be difficult for me to convince him.
eg) It may be bitter in taste.
eg) Is she likely to be in this class?
eg) Is it likely to be cold in Karachi these days?
eg) Isn’t this book likely to be expensive?
eg) Is phone likely to be out of order?
eg) He may be inborn stupid?
eg) Is watch likely to be cheap to look at?
eg) He may be good at talking.
eg) Kids may be sick of watching the same cartoon movie.
eg) She may be absorbed in watching her favourite film.
eg) Most of the students may be absent from the class.
eg) Your decision mayn’t be acceptable to me.
eg) Is he likely to be accompanied by his best friend?
eg) Is she likely to be accused of theft?
eg) Peter may be addicted to smoking.
eg) My mother mayn’t be angry at my behavior.
eg) Your sister mayn’t be afraid of dogs.
eg) My friend may be annoyed at my rudeness.
eg) Everybody mayn’t be anxious about the results.
eg) His father may be away from home.
eg) We may be bored with similarity.
eg) She mayn’t be careful about the health of her kids.
eg) You may be close to tears.
eg) They mayn’t be compatible with each other.
eg) Is he likely to be concerned about his health?
eg) You mayn’t be consistent with your words.
eg) Is his statement likely to be contrary to the fact?
eg) He may be crazy about movies.
eg) You may be cruel to animals.
eg) These people may be deprived of their rights.
eg) He may be dissatisfied with the result.
3b) We use may/might + have been + extra words for the possible states in the past.
May
Might
eg) She may have been a teacher.
eg) She mayn’t have been a teacher.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have been a teacher?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have been a teacher?
eg) She might have been a teacher.
eg) She mightn’t have been a teacher.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) You may have been upset.
eg) I mayn’t have been willing to go.
eg) Are we likely to have been at home at that time?
eg) We may have been disturbed.
eg) Is the child likely to have been with parents?
eg) Isn’t his family likely to have been abroad?
eg) Answers may have been wrong.
eg) He may have been displeased with your laziness.(=napasand)
eg) Is she likely to have been disappointed with my attitude?
eg) Isn’t teacher likely to have been dissatisfied with the result?
eg) She may have been dressed in black.
eg) You mayn’t have been eager for praise.(=mushtaak, aarzumand)
eg) They mayn’t have been eligible for the membership.(=Intakhaab kay liay mozu)
eg) Is he likely to have been engaged to Maria? (=mansoob)
eg) Is the amount likely to have been enough for the work?
eg) Are they likely to have been equipped with knowledge?
eg) He mayn’t have been familiar to me.
eg) You mayn’t have been familiar with this word.
eg) Is she likely to have been famous for her novels?
eg) He may have been fond of chocolates?
eg) Is he likely to have been good at Maths?
eg) Teacher mayn’t have been happy with the results.
eg) We mayn’t have been ignorant of your intentions.
eg) You mayn’t have been impressed by my progress.
eg) I mayn’t have been dependent on others.
eg) It mayn’t have been indifferent to me.
eg) Are they likely to have been interested in buying the bungalow?
eg) You may have been jealous of me.
eg) She mayn’t have been kind to her relatives.
eg) Is he likely to have been against us?
eg) Isn’t weather likely to have been cloudy?
4a) We use may/might + have + extra words for the possible states in the present.
May
Might
eg) She may have a cell phone.
eg) She mayn’t have a cell phone .
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have a cell phone ?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have a cell phone ?
eg) She might have a cell phone .
eg) She mightn’t have a cell phone .
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) She may have headache.
eg) You mayn’t have enough money to buy a car.
eg) Am I likely to have a chance to go abroad?
eg) He may have a question to ask.
eg) Essay may have mistakes.
eg) Cell phone mayn’t have balance.
eg) The old lady mayn’t have stamina to walk.
eg) Are these people likely to have enough food to survive?
eg) They mayn’t have pass to enter the Hall.
eg) Is wallet likely to have money?
eg) Is he likely to have phone to inform?
eg) He may have an excuse to leave.
eg) She mayn’t have the key to door in her purse.
eg) The gun mayn’t have bullets.
eg) Is he likely to have a bank account?
eg) The tape recorder mayn’t have the fault now.
eg) Isn’t water likely to have germs?
eg) Is bottle likely to have water?
eg) The child mayn’t have stamina to run.
eg) They mayn’t have passion to win.
eg) You mayn’t have eye infection now.
4b) We use may/might + have + had + extra words for the possible states in the past.
May
Might
eg) She may have had a cell phone.
eg) She mayn’t have had a cell phone .
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have had a cell phone ?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have had a cell phone?
eg) She might have had a cell phone .
eg) She mightn’t have had a cell phone.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
eg) Car mayn’t have had petrol.
eg) You may have had headache after the meeting.
eg) Wardrobe mayn’t have had more clothes.
eg) The patient may have had chest infection.
eg) Flood victims mayn’t have had enough food to survive.
eg) Are these people likely to have had basic facilities?
eg) Is she likely to have had courage to go against us?
eg) Wallet mayn’t have had money.
eg) Cassette may have had my favourite songs.
eg) Is essay likely to have had mistakes?
eg) Is cell phone likely to have had balance?
eg) He mayn’t have had any idea to solve the problem.
eg) Isn’t tea likely to have had poison in it.
eg) Isn’t the wall likely to have had stains on it?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have had enough money to survive?
Must
We use must + verb 1st form to give a strong piece of advice.
eg) We must offer Namaz five times a day.
eg) You mustn’t speak up here.
eg) Must I take your permission?
eg)Students mustn’t cheat during test.
eg) You must practise at home.
eg) You mustn’t skip Namaz.
eg) Must we wash hands before eating?
eg) Mustn’t we perform wudu before touching the Holy Quran?
Note: Besides variation no: 1, we make negatives of must with can’t and questions with can.
1a) We use must + verb 1st form to say that something certainly happens.
eg) His father is education minister. Can he study?
eg) You are busy whole day. When can you study?
eg) This man doesn’t have hands. How can he eat food?
eg) He is uneducated. What can he do sitting with you people?
eg) He is Dubai. He must earn a lot of money.
eg) He is very strict teacher. He must scold his students a lot.
eg) He stays awake the whole night. When can he sleep?
eg) She remains ill. She can’t take care of her health.
1b) We use must + have + verb 3rd form of verb to say that something (has) certainly happened.
eg) Ali has stomach ache. He must have eaten out.
eg) Electricity wasn’t there throughout the night. He can’t have completed his work.
eg) Yesterday was Sunday. He must have washed his clothes.
eg) Her eyes are getting red. She must have slept late last night.
eg) Nobody was in Ali’s home in the morning. They must have gone for outing.
eg) John came earlier in the party. He must have met all the guests.
eg) I lost my purse yesterday. I must have forgotten it somewhere.
eg) Your sister was annoyed with you. You must have said something to her.
2a) We use must + be + verb 1st form + ing to say that something is certainly happening now.
eg) It’s 4. Children must be waiting.
eg) Asif is with her elder brother. He can’t be getting scared.
eg) The AC is working. Why can kids be sweating?
eg) I have just given the children toys. Why can they be crying?
eg) You must be thinking wrong.
eg) What can they be doing at this time?
eg) How can people be surviving in such cold weather with no warm clothes?
2b) We use must + have + been + verb 1st form + ing to say that something was certainly happening.
eg) Neighbours must have been making noise that’s why I couldn’t sleep.
eg) Children can’t have been studying that’s why you got cross(=annoyed)
eg) Principal was in class. Can kids have been making nosie?
eg) Policemen were stopping every vehicle. They must have been searching for the drugs.
eg) Lecture was way too hard. Students can’t have been getting it.
eg) Lights were on. Can they have been staying up at that time?
eg) Mr. John was absent. Who can have been conducting the workshop?
4a) We use must + be + extra words for the possible states in the present.
eg) It’s January. It must be very cold there.
eg) You don’t resemble each other. You can’t be brothers.
eg) If A is bigger than B and B is bigger than C. Then A must be the biggest one.
eg) She has lost her job. She must be very worried.
eg) He has failed. Can’t he be embarrassed?
eg) You have got a job in dream company. You must be over-joyed.
eg) Curry had been on the dining table for five hours. It must be stale now.
eg) You have come home late again. Your father must be very angry at you.
4b) We use must + have + been + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) Teacher didn’t let her enter the class. She must have been late.
eg) A guy fell down from the top floor. He can’t have been alive.
eg) He didn’t resist. He must have been compelled.
eg) She didn’t buy the wrist watch. It must have been out of her range.
eg) They postponed going for picnic. There must have been some problem.
eg) He came to see us on his bike. His car must have been broken down.
eg) She didn’t pick the phone last night. She must have been asleep.
5a) We use must + have + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) John is also going with us to Shopping Mall. He must have money.
eg) The box is too heavy. What can it have?
eg) The speed of the computer is too slow. It must have virus.
eg) He is an intelligent boy. He can’t have cribs.
eg) She is here to buy a new car. Can’t she have enough money.
eg) Last night I gave him a pill. He can’t have fever now.
5b) We use must + have + had + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) He didn’t take even a bite. He can’t have had stomach for it.
eg) He reached office in no time. He must have had a car.
eg) We couldn’t understand what he was saying. He must have had something in his mouth.
eg) He was finding it difficult to read. He can’t have had his glasses with him.
eg) People were comfortable in the hall in such hot weather. It must have had centrally AC system.
eg) You must have had a strong reason to be absent.
Can (informal)
eg) She can speak English.
eg) She can’t speak English.
eg) Can she speak English?
eg) Can’t she speak English?
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Be able to (formal)
eg) She is able to speak English.
eg) She isn’t able to speak English.
eg) Is she able to speak English?
eg) Isn’t she able to speak English?
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eg) I can speak many languages.
eg) The child can’t sleep in such a noisy environment.
eg) Can you solve this question without calculator?
eg) Can’t you ride a horse?
eg) Why can’t you drive the car?
eg) Who can beat him?
eg) How many songs can you sing?
eg) How much pain can you bear/tolerate/endure?
eg) I can’t make you cry.
eg) What can you do to help me?
eg) We can’t argue with our father.
eg) Can you stay awake/up the whole night?
eg) Nobody can persuade you.
eg) I can’t see clearly without my glasses.
eg) Can you borrow money from your friend?
eg) Can you deceive your own brother?
eg) She can easily apologize to her mother.
eg) I can’t act on your advice.
eg) Can you cancel the picnic for me?
eg) We can’t forget that picnic.
eg) Can’t you try even once?
eg) My mother can’t bear such behavior.
eg) Can you continue to talk?
eg) Can you mother neglect you?
eg) You can’t accuse me of stealing your wallet.
eg) Can you afford to take a week off?
eg) I can’t wait any longer.
eg) She can swear to lie.
eg) He can’t refuse to cooperate.
eg) She can pretend to cry.
eg) Can you find the solution to this problem?
eg) I can’t complete my work without your help.
eg) We can’t complain about the manager.
eg) The child can’t sleep in such a noisy environment.
eg) Can you solve this question without calculator?
eg) Can’t you ride a horse?
eg) Why can’t you drive the car?
eg) Who can beat him?
eg) How many songs can you sing?
eg) How much pain can you bear/tolerate/endure?
eg) I can’t make you cry.
eg) What can you do to help me?
eg) We can’t argue with our father.
eg) Can you stay awake/up the whole night?
eg) Nobody can persuade you.
eg) I can’t see clearly without my glasses.
eg) Can you borrow money from your friend?
eg) Can you deceive your own brother?
eg) She can easily apologize to her mother.
eg) I can’t act on your advice.
eg) Can you cancel the picnic for me?
eg) We can’t forget that picnic.
eg) Can’t you try even once?
eg) My mother can’t bear such behavior.
eg) Can you continue to talk?
eg) Can you mother neglect you?
eg) You can’t accuse me of stealing your wallet.
eg) Can you afford to take a week off?
eg) I can’t wait any longer.
eg) She can swear to lie.
eg) He can’t refuse to cooperate.
eg) She can pretend to cry.
eg) Can you find the solution to this problem?
eg) I can’t complete my work without your help.
eg) We can’t complain about the manager.
2) We use have/has been able to say we are now able to do something due to past efforts.
eg) She has been able to run business.
eg) I haven’t been able to understand.
eg) Have students been able to learn the poem by heart?
eg)We have been able to control this problem.
eg) How much have you been able to save?
eg) Child has been able to stay at home alone.
eg) Have you been able to forget that accident?
eg) My brother has been able to study without help.
eg) I have been able to take good pictures.
eg) She has been able to control the class.
eg) Haven’t you been able to resolve this matter yet?
eg) The patient has been able to walk slowly after some sessions of Physiotherapy.
eg) The researchers haven’t been able to find a solution to cancer.
eg) I haven’t been able to dispatch the letters yet.
eg) We haven’t been able to pay back the loan.
Future abilityWe normally use will be able to talk about future ability.
eg) We’ll be able to speak good English in a few months.
eg) One day, people will be able to go to the moon on holiday.
►However, we use Can if we are deciding now about the future.eg) I don’t have time today but I can see you tomorrow.
eg) Can you come to a party on Saturday?
eg) She has been able to run business.
eg) I haven’t been able to understand.
eg) Have students been able to learn the poem by heart?
eg)We have been able to control this problem.
eg) How much have you been able to save?
eg) Child has been able to stay at home alone.
eg) Have you been able to forget that accident?
eg) My brother has been able to study without help.
eg) I have been able to take good pictures.
eg) She has been able to control the class.
eg) Haven’t you been able to resolve this matter yet?
eg) The patient has been able to walk slowly after some sessions of Physiotherapy.
eg) The researchers haven’t been able to find a solution to cancer.
eg) I haven’t been able to dispatch the letters yet.
eg) We haven’t been able to pay back the loan.
Future abilityWe normally use will be able to talk about future ability.
eg) We’ll be able to speak good English in a few months.
eg) One day, people will be able to go to the moon on holiday.
►However, we use Can if we are deciding now about the future.eg) I don’t have time today but I can see you tomorrow.
eg) Can you come to a party on Saturday?
Past ability1) We use could for “general ability” –to say that somebody could do something at any time, whenever he/she wanted. (Was/were able is also possible.)
Could (informal)
eg) She could speak English.
eg) She couldn’t speak English.
eg) Could she speak English?
eg) Couldn’t she speak English?
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Was/were able (formal)
eg) She was able to speak English.
eg) She wasn’t able to speak English.
eg) Was she able to speak English?
eg) Wasn’t she able to speak English?
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eg) She could read when she was four.
eg) My father could speak ten languages.
eg) I could swim well in my school days.
eg) Ali could walk five miles daily.
eg) When she was eight she could play piano.
eg) My mother could cook delicious/yummy dishes.
eg) I could stay up/awake the whole night.
eg) She could type letters all the day long.
eg) When I was rich I could go anywhere.
eg) She could type 90 words per minute.
eg) He could climb any tree whenever he wanted.
eg) When he was in the circus, he could walk on his hands.
eg) She could play chess when she was six.
2) We use was/were able to talk about an action in a particular situation, when someone had the ability to do something and did it. But in negatives, we preferably use Couldn’t.
eg) My father could speak ten languages.
eg) I could swim well in my school days.
eg) Ali could walk five miles daily.
eg) When she was eight she could play piano.
eg) My mother could cook delicious/yummy dishes.
eg) I could stay up/awake the whole night.
eg) She could type letters all the day long.
eg) When I was rich I could go anywhere.
eg) She could type 90 words per minute.
eg) He could climb any tree whenever he wanted.
eg) When he was in the circus, he could walk on his hands.
eg) She could play chess when she was six.
2) We use was/were able to talk about an action in a particular situation, when someone had the ability to do something and did it. But in negatives, we preferably use Couldn’t.
eg) The injured man was able to walk to a nearby hospital. NOT The injured man could …
eg) I was able to convince him easily.
eg) Were you able to understand without explanation?
eg) I couldn’t come back on time.
eg) Weren’t policemen able to arrest the criminals?
eg) What were you able to do?
eg) Was she able to get admission in university?
eg) I couldn’t contact all my friends.
eg) I was able to convince him easily.
eg) Were you able to understand without explanation?
eg) I couldn’t come back on time.
eg) Weren’t policemen able to arrest the criminals?
eg) What were you able to do?
eg) Was she able to get admission in university?
eg) I couldn’t contact all my friends.
3) In certain cases, it is possible to use Could to say that somebody was able to do something on one occasion. This happens with see, hear, taste, feel, smell, understand, remember and guess.
eg) I could smell burning.
eg) I could understand everything.
eg) We could hear their cries.
eg) She couldn’t remember where she had seen me.
eg) I could feel cold.
eg) After putting on my glasses I could see things very clearly.
eg) I could understand everything.
eg) We could hear their cries.
eg) She couldn’t remember where she had seen me.
eg) I could feel cold.
eg) After putting on my glasses I could see things very clearly.
4) We can also use Could+ hardly/only +verb1st form to refer to one occasion.eg) I could only get six eggs.
eg) She could hardly believe me.
eg) I could hardly understand the first five minutes of the movie.
eg) We could hardly take the patient to the hospital.
eg) They could hardly win the match.
eg) Children could hardly watch their favourite program.
eg) Patient could only survive for half an hour.
eg) She could hardly apologize to her mother.
eg) My friends could only stay for two days.
eg) He could only take two spicy bites.
eg) She could hardly believe me.
eg) I could hardly understand the first five minutes of the movie.
eg) We could hardly take the patient to the hospital.
eg) They could hardly win the match.
eg) Children could hardly watch their favourite program.
eg) Patient could only survive for half an hour.
eg) She could hardly apologize to her mother.
eg) My friends could only stay for two days.
eg) He could only take two spicy bites.
5) We use Could+have+verb3rd form to say that somebody was able to do something but didn’t try to do it.
we can also use this structure for something which was possible to happen but didn’t happen.
we can also use this structure for something which was possible to happen but didn’t happen.
eg) You could have helped me.
eg) I could have won the race.
eg) You could have lent money to your friend.
eg) She could have got first position.
eg) The boy could have climbed the wall easily.
eg) You could have lied to save me.
eg) We could have stopped at the signal.
eg) It could have rained.
eg) you could have fallen down on your face.
eg) She could have answered you back.
eg) Police could have arrested you.
eg) Principal could have turned down your application.
eg) She could have got angry.
eg) What could you have done?
eg) I could have won the race.
eg) You could have lent money to your friend.
eg) She could have got first position.
eg) The boy could have climbed the wall easily.
eg) You could have lied to save me.
eg) We could have stopped at the signal.
eg) It could have rained.
eg) you could have fallen down on your face.
eg) She could have answered you back.
eg) Police could have arrested you.
eg) Principal could have turned down your application.
eg) She could have got angry.
eg) What could you have done?
6) We use Couldn’t + have + verb 3rd form to say that something was impossible to happen.
eg) I couldn’t have won the race so I didn’t take part in it.
eg) She couldn’t have seen because of pitch darkness.
eg) We couldn’t have taken the patient to the hospital due to strike.
eg) He couldn’t have informed you because he was compelled.
eg) I couldn’t have bought the house because I didn’t have enough money.
eg) My mother couldn’t have walked because she was very tired.
eg) Your friend couldn’t have replied because he was frightened.
eg) These students couldn’t have continued their education because they didn’t have enough money.
eg) He couldn’t have slept due to noise.
Permissions
Possibilities
We use may/might for possibility. “May” expresses 50% chances and “Might” 30% chances.
1a) We use may/might + verb 1st form to say that something is possible to happen in the future.
1b) We use may/might + have + verb 3rd form to say that something (has) possibly happened.
eg) She may be getting nervous.
eg) I mayn’t be pronouncing the word correctly.
eg) Are they likely to be practicing in the ground?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be shopping now?
eg) The patient may be pulling through (=recovering)
eg) She may be taking offence. (=bura manana)
eg) Kids may be watching cartoon movie now.
eg) They may be appealing for me in court.
eg) You may be asking for trouble(=inviting it)
eg) Is she likely to be banking on(=rely) his help?
eg) They mayn’t be bearing with (=listen patiently) me.
eg) Is he likely to be breaking with(=breaking relation) her?
eg) They may be calling on me tomorrow. (=visit)
eg) He may be counting on your help.(=rely)
eg) She may be dictating to others.(=order)
eg) They may be digging at me.(=finding faults)
eg) Bills may be eating into my savings.(=using up)
eg) She may be flying into a rage.(=becoming very angry)
eg) Are they likely to be getting into trouble?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be getting over his illness? (=recovering from)
eg) The dog may be going for the postman. (=attacking)
eg) Are our neighbours likely to be objecting to us?
eg) They may be pretending to be ignorant.
eg) Are children likely to be pretending to be asleep?
eg) They may have been trying to convince me to take admission.
eg) It may have been drizzling yesterday.
eg) The members of the committee may have been discussing the same problem.
eg) You may have been waiting for me.
eg) Is she likely to have been joking?
eg) The child may have been tossing and turning in bed.
eg) Isn’t he likely to have been listening to the radio?
eg) You may have been keeping a secret from me.(=not tell)
eg) Police mayn’t have been looking into this case thoroughly.(=investigating)
eg) Is she likely to have been thinking about something interesting?
eg) Some people may have been conspiring against me.
eg) You mayn’t have been backing out of your promise.
eg) We may have been deceiving ourselves.
eg) Are they likely to have been celebrating their brother’s birthday with enthusiasm?
eg) Aren’t children likely to have been playing hide and seek?
eg) Aren’t people likely to have been setting vehicles ablaze?
eg) Somebody may have been dashing your hopes.(= Umeedon per pani pherna)
eg) I may have been behaving strangely.
eg) You may have been accusing everybody.
eg) I may have been having difficulty understanding the poetry.
eg) They may have been protesting against us.
eg) Is she likely to have been making a lame excuse?
eg) He may have been losing his self-respect.
eg) Aren’t they likely to have been lying to save their faces?
eg) Child may have been missing his mother.
eg) You may be worried.
eg) She mayn’t be ready to give presentation.
eg) Are players likely to be in the ground?
eg) Is she likely to be happy after the result?
eg) Pizza may be in the fridge.
eg) Child may be scared.
eg) Are they likely to be interested?
eg) She may be overjoyed after getting the first position in the class.
eg) Is she likely to be ready to face the consequence?
eg) It may be difficult for me to convince him.
eg) It may be bitter in taste.
eg) Is she likely to be in this class?
eg) Is it likely to be cold in Karachi these days?
eg) Isn’t this book likely to be expensive?
eg) Is phone likely to be out of order?
eg) He may be inborn stupid?
eg) Is watch likely to be cheap to look at?
eg) He may be good at talking.
eg) Kids may be sick of watching the same cartoon movie.
eg) She may be absorbed in watching her favourite film.
eg) Most of the students may be absent from the class.
eg) Your decision mayn’t be acceptable to me.
eg) Is he likely to be accompanied by his best friend?
eg) Is she likely to be accused of theft?
eg) Peter may be addicted to smoking.
eg) My mother mayn’t be angry at my behavior.
eg) Your sister mayn’t be afraid of dogs.
eg) My friend may be annoyed at my rudeness.
eg) Everybody mayn’t be anxious about the results.
eg) His father may be away from home.
eg) We may be bored with similarity.
eg) She mayn’t be careful about the health of her kids.
eg) You may be close to tears.
eg) They mayn’t be compatible with each other.
eg) Is he likely to be concerned about his health?
eg) You mayn’t be consistent with your words.
eg) Is his statement likely to be contrary to the fact?
eg) He may be crazy about movies.
eg) You may be cruel to animals.
eg) These people may be deprived of their rights.
eg) He may be dissatisfied with the result.
eg) You may have been upset.
eg) I mayn’t have been willing to go.
eg) Are we likely to have been at home at that time?
eg) We may have been disturbed.
eg) Is the child likely to have been with parents?
eg) Isn’t his family likely to have been abroad?
eg) Answers may have been wrong.
eg) He may have been displeased with your laziness.(=napasand)
eg) Is she likely to have been disappointed with my attitude?
eg) Isn’t teacher likely to have been dissatisfied with the result?
eg) She may have been dressed in black.
eg) You mayn’t have been eager for praise.(=mushtaak, aarzumand)
eg) They mayn’t have been eligible for the membership.(=Intakhaab kay liay mozu)
eg) Is he likely to have been engaged to Maria? (=mansoob)
eg) Is the amount likely to have been enough for the work?
eg) Are they likely to have been equipped with knowledge?
eg) He mayn’t have been familiar to me.
eg) You mayn’t have been familiar with this word.
eg) Is she likely to have been famous for her novels?
eg) He may have been fond of chocolates?
eg) Is he likely to have been good at Maths?
eg) Teacher mayn’t have been happy with the results.
eg) We mayn’t have been ignorant of your intentions.
eg) You mayn’t have been impressed by my progress.
eg) I mayn’t have been dependent on others.
eg) It mayn’t have been indifferent to me.
eg) Are they likely to have been interested in buying the bungalow?
eg) You may have been jealous of me.
eg) She mayn’t have been kind to her relatives.
eg) Is he likely to have been against us?
eg) Isn’t weather likely to have been cloudy?
eg) She may have headache.
eg) You mayn’t have enough money to buy a car.
eg) Am I likely to have a chance to go abroad?
eg) He may have a question to ask.
eg) Essay may have mistakes.
eg) Cell phone mayn’t have balance.
eg) The old lady mayn’t have stamina to walk.
eg) Are these people likely to have enough food to survive?
eg) They mayn’t have pass to enter the Hall.
eg) Is wallet likely to have money?
eg) Is he likely to have phone to inform?
eg) He may have an excuse to leave.
eg) She mayn’t have the key to door in her purse.
eg) The gun mayn’t have bullets.
eg) Is he likely to have a bank account?
eg) The tape recorder mayn’t have the fault now.
eg) Isn’t water likely to have germs?
eg) Is bottle likely to have water?
eg) The child mayn’t have stamina to run.
eg) They mayn’t have passion to win.
eg) You mayn’t have eye infection now.
eg) Car mayn’t have had petrol.
eg) You may have had headache after the meeting.
eg) Wardrobe mayn’t have had more clothes.
eg) The patient may have had chest infection.
eg) Flood victims mayn’t have had enough food to survive.
eg) Are these people likely to have had basic facilities?
eg) Is she likely to have had courage to go against us?
eg) Wallet mayn’t have had money.
eg) Cassette may have had my favourite songs.
eg) Is essay likely to have had mistakes?
eg) Is cell phone likely to have had balance?
eg) He mayn’t have had any idea to solve the problem.
eg) Isn’t tea likely to have had poison in it.
eg) Isn’t the wall likely to have had stains on it?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have had enough money to survive?
eg) She couldn’t have seen because of pitch darkness.
eg) We couldn’t have taken the patient to the hospital due to strike.
eg) He couldn’t have informed you because he was compelled.
eg) I couldn’t have bought the house because I didn’t have enough money.
eg) My mother couldn’t have walked because she was very tired.
eg) Your friend couldn’t have replied because he was frightened.
eg) These students couldn’t have continued their education because they didn’t have enough money.
eg) He couldn’t have slept due to noise.
Permissions
1) For taking permissions we have the following ways:
a) Can I …? It is informal way of taking permission so shouldn’t be used to the seniors, elders or the people
we respect.
b) Could I …? It is used in both formal and informal way.
c) May I…? It is the most polite and formal way and preferably used in written English.
d) Might I …? It is used when the speaker feels hesitation to ask for the permission.
a) Can I …? It is informal way of taking permission so shouldn’t be used to the seniors, elders or the people
we respect.
b) Could I …? It is used in both formal and informal way.
c) May I…? It is the most polite and formal way and preferably used in written English.
d) Might I …? It is used when the speaker feels hesitation to ask for the permission.
2) For giving permissions we use can (infml) and may (fml)
eg) Could I ask you a question? ~ yes, you can/may.
eg) Could I ask you a question? ~ yes, you can/may.
3) For not giving permissions we have can’t/mayn’teg) Could I ask you a question? ~ No, you can’t/mayn’t.
Reporting permissionCan and Could are also used to talk about permission that has already been given or refused, and about things that are (or are not) allowed by rules and laws.
eg) She said I could come as often as I liked.
In talking about the past, we use could to say that somebody had permission to do sth at any time (general permission), but we don’t use could to talk about permission for one particular action in the past.
Compare:
►When I was a child, I could watch TV whenever I wanted to.
►Yesterday evening, Asif was allowed to watch TV for an hour.
(NOT… Asif could watch TV for an hour)
But Could not can be used to talk about one particular action that was not allowed.
Peter couldn’t watch TV yesterday because he was naughty.
Note: The difference between could and was/were allowed is similar to the difference between could and was/were able)
eg) She said I could come as often as I liked.
In talking about the past, we use could to say that somebody had permission to do sth at any time (general permission), but we don’t use could to talk about permission for one particular action in the past.
Compare:
►When I was a child, I could watch TV whenever I wanted to.
►Yesterday evening, Asif was allowed to watch TV for an hour.
(NOT…
But Could not can be used to talk about one particular action that was not allowed.
Peter couldn’t watch TV yesterday because he was naughty.
Note: The difference between could and was/were allowed is similar to the difference between could and was/were able)
May
|
Might
|
eg) I may try again.
eg) I mayn’t try again.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Am I likely to try again? eg) Aren’t I likely to try again? |
eg) I might try again.
eg) I mightn’t try again.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
Possibilities
We use may/might for possibility. “May” expresses 50% chances and “Might” 30% chances.
1a) We use may/might + verb 1st form to say that something is possible to happen in the future.
Note: We can use (be + likely + to) for affirmatives and negatives too in a formal way.
eg) I’m likely to try again.(= I may try again)
eg) I’m not likely to try again. (= I mayn’t try again)
eg) It may rain.
eg) Are we likely to leave for Canada tomorrow?
eg) Some students may fail.
eg) Am I not likely to convince my mother?
eg) Is he likely to win the game?
eg) Are they likely to agree?
eg) She may get angry?
eg) She may accuse me of poisoning her dog.
eg) He mayn’t agree with you.
eg) My father mayn’t agree to my suggestion.
eg) Is she likely to get angry with me?
eg) Teacher may get angry at my behavior.
eg) We may apologize to him for our silly mistake.
eg) He mayn’t believe anybody.
eg) They may congratulate you on your exam results.
eg) You may crash into the car in front.
eg) She may die from/of her injuries.
eg) Aren’t you likely to get disappointed with me?
eg) I may have a long discussion about politics with you.
eg) We may divide this task into three parts.
eg) She may enter into our discussion.
eg) Is he likely to explain this rule to me?
eg) The child may get into the taxi.
eg) We may get off the train in ten minutes.
eg) He mayn’t like the idea of selling the house.
eg) They may insist on paying later.
eg) Students mayn’t take interest in grammar.
eg) Aren’t people likely to laugh at you?
eg) She mayn’t listen to us.
eg) Is she likely to stop looking after me?
eg) Is he likely to start looking for the job?
eg) He may get married to his cousin.
eg) I’m not likely to try again. (= I mayn’t try again)
eg) It may rain.
eg) Are we likely to leave for Canada tomorrow?
eg) Some students may fail.
eg) Am I not likely to convince my mother?
eg) Is he likely to win the game?
eg) Are they likely to agree?
eg) She may get angry?
eg) She may accuse me of poisoning her dog.
eg) He mayn’t agree with you.
eg) My father mayn’t agree to my suggestion.
eg) Is she likely to get angry with me?
eg) Teacher may get angry at my behavior.
eg) We may apologize to him for our silly mistake.
eg) He mayn’t believe anybody.
eg) They may congratulate you on your exam results.
eg) You may crash into the car in front.
eg) She may die from/of her injuries.
eg) Aren’t you likely to get disappointed with me?
eg) I may have a long discussion about politics with you.
eg) We may divide this task into three parts.
eg) She may enter into our discussion.
eg) Is he likely to explain this rule to me?
eg) The child may get into the taxi.
eg) We may get off the train in ten minutes.
eg) He mayn’t like the idea of selling the house.
eg) They may insist on paying later.
eg) Students mayn’t take interest in grammar.
eg) Aren’t people likely to laugh at you?
eg) She mayn’t listen to us.
eg) Is she likely to stop looking after me?
eg) Is he likely to start looking for the job?
eg) He may get married to his cousin.
May
|
Might
|
eg) He may have tried again.
eg) He mayn’t have tried again.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is he likely to have tried again? eg) Isn’t he likely to have tried again? |
eg) He might have tried again.
eg) He mightn’t have tried again.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
1b) We use may/might + have + verb 3rd form to say that something (has) possibly happened.
eg) You may have forgotten something.
eg) She mayn’t have tried seriously.
eg) He may have come on Friday.
eg) Is Asif likely to have forgotten to take medicine?
eg) You may have got nervous.
eg) Are children likely to have got tired?
eg) They may have stayed awake/up the whole night.
eg) The noise may have prevented him from sleeping.
eg) They mayn’t have tried to know the reason for the accident.
eg) He may have forgotten to remind me of the meeting.
eg) Peter may have run into(=meet) his sister on the way to the market.
eg) Guards may have searched everybody’s luggage.
eg) Are custom officers likely to have searched for(=look for) the drugs?
eg) Aren’t you likely to have shouted at(=aggressive) her?
eg) Mary may have shouted to(=call to) us for the tea.
eg) She may have felt sorry for your loss.
eg) Isn’t my sister likely to have taken part in the game?
eg) Naughty boys may have thrown stones at(=aggressive) the cars.
eg) He may have tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.
eg) He mayn’t have bargained for this. (= not prepared for)
eg) Eggs mayn’t have agreed with me. (=have a bad effect)
eg) She may have burst into tears.
eg) Isn’t the robber likely to have come at her with a knife? (=attacked)
eg) He may have come by this scratch during the quarrel. (=obtain)
eg) He may have come on Friday.
eg) Is Asif likely to have forgotten to take medicine?
eg) You may have got nervous.
eg) Are children likely to have got tired?
eg) They may have stayed awake/up the whole night.
eg) The noise may have prevented him from sleeping.
eg) They mayn’t have tried to know the reason for the accident.
eg) He may have forgotten to remind me of the meeting.
eg) Peter may have run into(=meet) his sister on the way to the market.
eg) Guards may have searched everybody’s luggage.
eg) Are custom officers likely to have searched for(=look for) the drugs?
eg) Aren’t you likely to have shouted at(=aggressive) her?
eg) Mary may have shouted to(=call to) us for the tea.
eg) She may have felt sorry for your loss.
eg) Isn’t my sister likely to have taken part in the game?
eg) Naughty boys may have thrown stones at(=aggressive) the cars.
eg) He may have tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.
eg) He mayn’t have bargained for this. (= not prepared for)
eg) Eggs mayn’t have agreed with me. (=have a bad effect)
eg) She may have burst into tears.
eg) Isn’t the robber likely to have come at her with a knife? (=attacked)
eg) He may have come by this scratch during the quarrel. (=obtain)
2a) We use may/might + be + verb 1st form + ing to say that something is possibly happening now.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may be cooking.
eg) She mayn’t be cooking.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to be cooking? eg) Isn’t she likely to be cooking? |
eg) She might be cooking.
eg) She mightn’t be cooking.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) She may be getting nervous.
eg) I mayn’t be pronouncing the word correctly.
eg) Are they likely to be practicing in the ground?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be shopping now?
eg) The patient may be pulling through (=recovering)
eg) She may be taking offence. (=bura manana)
eg) Kids may be watching cartoon movie now.
eg) They may be appealing for me in court.
eg) You may be asking for trouble(=inviting it)
eg) Is she likely to be banking on(=rely) his help?
eg) They mayn’t be bearing with (=listen patiently) me.
eg) Is he likely to be breaking with(=breaking relation) her?
eg) They may be calling on me tomorrow. (=visit)
eg) He may be counting on your help.(=rely)
eg) She may be dictating to others.(=order)
eg) They may be digging at me.(=finding faults)
eg) Bills may be eating into my savings.(=using up)
eg) She may be flying into a rage.(=becoming very angry)
eg) Are they likely to be getting into trouble?
eg) Isn’t he likely to be getting over his illness? (=recovering from)
eg) The dog may be going for the postman. (=attacking)
eg) Are our neighbours likely to be objecting to us?
eg) They may be pretending to be ignorant.
eg) Are children likely to be pretending to be asleep?
2b) We use may/might + have +been + verb 1st form + ing to say that something was possibly happening.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may have been cooking.
eg) She mayn’t have been cooking.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have been cooking? eg) Isn’t she likely to have been cooking? |
eg) She might have been cooking.
eg) She mightn’t have been cooking.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) They may have been trying to convince me to take admission.
eg) It may have been drizzling yesterday.
eg) The members of the committee may have been discussing the same problem.
eg) You may have been waiting for me.
eg) Is she likely to have been joking?
eg) The child may have been tossing and turning in bed.
eg) Isn’t he likely to have been listening to the radio?
eg) You may have been keeping a secret from me.(=not tell)
eg) Police mayn’t have been looking into this case thoroughly.(=investigating)
eg) Is she likely to have been thinking about something interesting?
eg) Some people may have been conspiring against me.
eg) You mayn’t have been backing out of your promise.
eg) We may have been deceiving ourselves.
eg) Are they likely to have been celebrating their brother’s birthday with enthusiasm?
eg) Aren’t children likely to have been playing hide and seek?
eg) Aren’t people likely to have been setting vehicles ablaze?
eg) Somebody may have been dashing your hopes.(= Umeedon per pani pherna)
eg) I may have been behaving strangely.
eg) You may have been accusing everybody.
eg) I may have been having difficulty understanding the poetry.
eg) They may have been protesting against us.
eg) Is she likely to have been making a lame excuse?
eg) He may have been losing his self-respect.
eg) Aren’t they likely to have been lying to save their faces?
eg) Child may have been missing his mother.
3a) We use may/might + be + extra words for the possible states in the present.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may be a teacher.
eg) She mayn’t be a teacher.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to be a teacher? eg) Isn’t she likely to be a teacher? |
eg) She might be a teacher.
eg) She mightn’t be a teacher.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) You may be worried.
eg) She mayn’t be ready to give presentation.
eg) Are players likely to be in the ground?
eg) Is she likely to be happy after the result?
eg) Pizza may be in the fridge.
eg) Child may be scared.
eg) Are they likely to be interested?
eg) She may be overjoyed after getting the first position in the class.
eg) Is she likely to be ready to face the consequence?
eg) It may be difficult for me to convince him.
eg) It may be bitter in taste.
eg) Is she likely to be in this class?
eg) Is it likely to be cold in Karachi these days?
eg) Isn’t this book likely to be expensive?
eg) Is phone likely to be out of order?
eg) He may be inborn stupid?
eg) Is watch likely to be cheap to look at?
eg) He may be good at talking.
eg) Kids may be sick of watching the same cartoon movie.
eg) She may be absorbed in watching her favourite film.
eg) Most of the students may be absent from the class.
eg) Your decision mayn’t be acceptable to me.
eg) Is he likely to be accompanied by his best friend?
eg) Is she likely to be accused of theft?
eg) Peter may be addicted to smoking.
eg) My mother mayn’t be angry at my behavior.
eg) Your sister mayn’t be afraid of dogs.
eg) My friend may be annoyed at my rudeness.
eg) Everybody mayn’t be anxious about the results.
eg) His father may be away from home.
eg) We may be bored with similarity.
eg) She mayn’t be careful about the health of her kids.
eg) You may be close to tears.
eg) They mayn’t be compatible with each other.
eg) Is he likely to be concerned about his health?
eg) You mayn’t be consistent with your words.
eg) Is his statement likely to be contrary to the fact?
eg) He may be crazy about movies.
eg) You may be cruel to animals.
eg) These people may be deprived of their rights.
eg) He may be dissatisfied with the result.
3b) We use may/might + have been + extra words for the possible states in the past.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may have been a teacher.
eg) She mayn’t have been a teacher.
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have been a teacher? eg) Isn’t she likely to have been a teacher? |
eg) She might have been a teacher.
eg) She mightn’t have been a teacher.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) You may have been upset.
eg) I mayn’t have been willing to go.
eg) Are we likely to have been at home at that time?
eg) We may have been disturbed.
eg) Is the child likely to have been with parents?
eg) Isn’t his family likely to have been abroad?
eg) Answers may have been wrong.
eg) He may have been displeased with your laziness.(=napasand)
eg) Is she likely to have been disappointed with my attitude?
eg) Isn’t teacher likely to have been dissatisfied with the result?
eg) She may have been dressed in black.
eg) You mayn’t have been eager for praise.(=mushtaak, aarzumand)
eg) They mayn’t have been eligible for the membership.(=Intakhaab kay liay mozu)
eg) Is he likely to have been engaged to Maria? (=mansoob)
eg) Is the amount likely to have been enough for the work?
eg) Are they likely to have been equipped with knowledge?
eg) He mayn’t have been familiar to me.
eg) You mayn’t have been familiar with this word.
eg) Is she likely to have been famous for her novels?
eg) He may have been fond of chocolates?
eg) Is he likely to have been good at Maths?
eg) Teacher mayn’t have been happy with the results.
eg) We mayn’t have been ignorant of your intentions.
eg) You mayn’t have been impressed by my progress.
eg) I mayn’t have been dependent on others.
eg) It mayn’t have been indifferent to me.
eg) Are they likely to have been interested in buying the bungalow?
eg) You may have been jealous of me.
eg) She mayn’t have been kind to her relatives.
eg) Is he likely to have been against us?
eg) Isn’t weather likely to have been cloudy?
4a) We use may/might + have + extra words for the possible states in the present.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may have a cell phone.
eg) She mayn’t have a cell phone .
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have a cell phone ? eg) Isn’t she likely to have a cell phone ? |
eg) She might have a cell phone .
eg) She mightn’t have a cell phone .
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) She may have headache.
eg) You mayn’t have enough money to buy a car.
eg) Am I likely to have a chance to go abroad?
eg) He may have a question to ask.
eg) Essay may have mistakes.
eg) Cell phone mayn’t have balance.
eg) The old lady mayn’t have stamina to walk.
eg) Are these people likely to have enough food to survive?
eg) They mayn’t have pass to enter the Hall.
eg) Is wallet likely to have money?
eg) Is he likely to have phone to inform?
eg) He may have an excuse to leave.
eg) She mayn’t have the key to door in her purse.
eg) The gun mayn’t have bullets.
eg) Is he likely to have a bank account?
eg) The tape recorder mayn’t have the fault now.
eg) Isn’t water likely to have germs?
eg) Is bottle likely to have water?
eg) The child mayn’t have stamina to run.
eg) They mayn’t have passion to win.
eg) You mayn’t have eye infection now.
4b) We use may/might + have + had + extra words for the possible states in the past.
May
|
Might
|
eg) She may have had a cell phone.
eg) She mayn’t have had a cell phone .
Note: For questions of may, we have a special construction.
Be(is/am/are) + subject + likely + to …?eg) Is she likely to have had a cell phone ? eg) Isn’t she likely to have had a cell phone? |
eg) She might have had a cell phone .
eg) She mightn’t have had a cell phone.
Note: Questions and negative questions aren’t possible.
|
eg) Car mayn’t have had petrol.
eg) You may have had headache after the meeting.
eg) Wardrobe mayn’t have had more clothes.
eg) The patient may have had chest infection.
eg) Flood victims mayn’t have had enough food to survive.
eg) Are these people likely to have had basic facilities?
eg) Is she likely to have had courage to go against us?
eg) Wallet mayn’t have had money.
eg) Cassette may have had my favourite songs.
eg) Is essay likely to have had mistakes?
eg) Is cell phone likely to have had balance?
eg) He mayn’t have had any idea to solve the problem.
eg) Isn’t tea likely to have had poison in it.
eg) Isn’t the wall likely to have had stains on it?
eg) Isn’t she likely to have had enough money to survive?
Must
We use must + verb 1st form to give a strong piece of advice.
eg) We must offer Namaz five times a day.
eg) You mustn’t speak up here.
eg) Must I take your permission?
eg)Students mustn’t cheat during test.
eg) You must practise at home.
eg) You mustn’t skip Namaz.
eg) Must we wash hands before eating?
eg) Mustn’t we perform wudu before touching the Holy Quran?
Note: Besides variation no: 1, we make negatives of must with can’t and questions with can.
We use must + verb 1st form to give a strong piece of advice.
eg) We must offer Namaz five times a day.
eg) You mustn’t speak up here.
eg) Must I take your permission?
eg)Students mustn’t cheat during test.
eg) You must practise at home.
eg) You mustn’t skip Namaz.
eg) Must we wash hands before eating?
eg) Mustn’t we perform wudu before touching the Holy Quran?
Note: Besides variation no: 1, we make negatives of must with can’t and questions with can.
1a) We use must + verb 1st form to say that something certainly happens.
eg) His father is education minister. Can he study?
eg) You are busy whole day. When can you study?
eg) This man doesn’t have hands. How can he eat food?
eg) He is uneducated. What can he do sitting with you people?
eg) He is Dubai. He must earn a lot of money.
eg) He is very strict teacher. He must scold his students a lot.
eg) He stays awake the whole night. When can he sleep?
eg) She remains ill. She can’t take care of her health.
1b) We use must + have + verb 3rd form of verb to say that something (has) certainly happened.
eg) Ali has stomach ache. He must have eaten out.
eg) Electricity wasn’t there throughout the night. He can’t have completed his work.
eg) Yesterday was Sunday. He must have washed his clothes.
eg) Her eyes are getting red. She must have slept late last night.
eg) Nobody was in Ali’s home in the morning. They must have gone for outing.
eg) John came earlier in the party. He must have met all the guests.
eg) I lost my purse yesterday. I must have forgotten it somewhere.
eg) Your sister was annoyed with you. You must have said something to her.
eg) His father is education minister. Can he study?
eg) You are busy whole day. When can you study?
eg) This man doesn’t have hands. How can he eat food?
eg) He is uneducated. What can he do sitting with you people?
eg) He is Dubai. He must earn a lot of money.
eg) He is very strict teacher. He must scold his students a lot.
eg) He stays awake the whole night. When can he sleep?
eg) She remains ill. She can’t take care of her health.
1b) We use must + have + verb 3rd form of verb to say that something (has) certainly happened.
eg) Ali has stomach ache. He must have eaten out.
eg) Electricity wasn’t there throughout the night. He can’t have completed his work.
eg) Yesterday was Sunday. He must have washed his clothes.
eg) Her eyes are getting red. She must have slept late last night.
eg) Nobody was in Ali’s home in the morning. They must have gone for outing.
eg) John came earlier in the party. He must have met all the guests.
eg) I lost my purse yesterday. I must have forgotten it somewhere.
eg) Your sister was annoyed with you. You must have said something to her.
2a) We use must + be + verb 1st form + ing to say that something is certainly happening now.
eg) It’s 4. Children must be waiting.
eg) Asif is with her elder brother. He can’t be getting scared.
eg) The AC is working. Why can kids be sweating?
eg) I have just given the children toys. Why can they be crying?
eg) You must be thinking wrong.
eg) What can they be doing at this time?
eg) How can people be surviving in such cold weather with no warm clothes?
eg) It’s 4. Children must be waiting.
eg) Asif is with her elder brother. He can’t be getting scared.
eg) The AC is working. Why can kids be sweating?
eg) I have just given the children toys. Why can they be crying?
eg) You must be thinking wrong.
eg) What can they be doing at this time?
eg) How can people be surviving in such cold weather with no warm clothes?
2b) We use must + have + been + verb 1st form + ing to say that something was certainly happening.
eg) Neighbours must have been making noise that’s why I couldn’t sleep.
eg) Children can’t have been studying that’s why you got cross(=annoyed)
eg) Principal was in class. Can kids have been making nosie?
eg) Policemen were stopping every vehicle. They must have been searching for the drugs.
eg) Lecture was way too hard. Students can’t have been getting it.
eg) Lights were on. Can they have been staying up at that time?
eg) Mr. John was absent. Who can have been conducting the workshop?
eg) Neighbours must have been making noise that’s why I couldn’t sleep.
eg) Children can’t have been studying that’s why you got cross(=annoyed)
eg) Principal was in class. Can kids have been making nosie?
eg) Policemen were stopping every vehicle. They must have been searching for the drugs.
eg) Lecture was way too hard. Students can’t have been getting it.
eg) Lights were on. Can they have been staying up at that time?
eg) Mr. John was absent. Who can have been conducting the workshop?
4a) We use must + be + extra words for the possible states in the present.
eg) It’s January. It must be very cold there.
eg) You don’t resemble each other. You can’t be brothers.
eg) If A is bigger than B and B is bigger than C. Then A must be the biggest one.
eg) She has lost her job. She must be very worried.
eg) He has failed. Can’t he be embarrassed?
eg) You have got a job in dream company. You must be over-joyed.
eg) Curry had been on the dining table for five hours. It must be stale now.
eg) You have come home late again. Your father must be very angry at you.
eg) It’s January. It must be very cold there.
eg) You don’t resemble each other. You can’t be brothers.
eg) If A is bigger than B and B is bigger than C. Then A must be the biggest one.
eg) She has lost her job. She must be very worried.
eg) He has failed. Can’t he be embarrassed?
eg) You have got a job in dream company. You must be over-joyed.
eg) Curry had been on the dining table for five hours. It must be stale now.
eg) You have come home late again. Your father must be very angry at you.
4b) We use must + have + been + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) Teacher didn’t let her enter the class. She must have been late.
eg) A guy fell down from the top floor. He can’t have been alive.
eg) He didn’t resist. He must have been compelled.
eg) She didn’t buy the wrist watch. It must have been out of her range.
eg) They postponed going for picnic. There must have been some problem.
eg) He came to see us on his bike. His car must have been broken down.
eg) She didn’t pick the phone last night. She must have been asleep.
5a) We use must + have + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) John is also going with us to Shopping Mall. He must have money.
eg) The box is too heavy. What can it have?
eg) The speed of the computer is too slow. It must have virus.
eg) He is an intelligent boy. He can’t have cribs.
eg) She is here to buy a new car. Can’t she have enough money.
eg) Last night I gave him a pill. He can’t have fever now.
5b) We use must + have + had + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) He didn’t take even a bite. He can’t have had stomach for it.
eg) He reached office in no time. He must have had a car.
eg) We couldn’t understand what he was saying. He must have had something in his mouth.
eg) He was finding it difficult to read. He can’t have had his glasses with him.
eg) People were comfortable in the hall in such hot weather. It must have had centrally AC system.
eg) You must have had a strong reason to be absent.
eg) Teacher didn’t let her enter the class. She must have been late.
eg) A guy fell down from the top floor. He can’t have been alive.
eg) He didn’t resist. He must have been compelled.
eg) She didn’t buy the wrist watch. It must have been out of her range.
eg) They postponed going for picnic. There must have been some problem.
eg) He came to see us on his bike. His car must have been broken down.
eg) She didn’t pick the phone last night. She must have been asleep.
5a) We use must + have + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) John is also going with us to Shopping Mall. He must have money.
eg) The box is too heavy. What can it have?
eg) The speed of the computer is too slow. It must have virus.
eg) He is an intelligent boy. He can’t have cribs.
eg) She is here to buy a new car. Can’t she have enough money.
eg) Last night I gave him a pill. He can’t have fever now.
5b) We use must + have + had + extra words for the possible states in the past.
eg) He didn’t take even a bite. He can’t have had stomach for it.
eg) He reached office in no time. He must have had a car.
eg) We couldn’t understand what he was saying. He must have had something in his mouth.
eg) He was finding it difficult to read. He can’t have had his glasses with him.
eg) People were comfortable in the hall in such hot weather. It must have had centrally AC system.
eg) You must have had a strong reason to be absent.
