Modal verbs of deduction

Hello everybody and welcome.

In English we use modal verbs of deduction all of the time

to show how sure or unsure we are about something based on

what we can see.

For example, we use them in everyday situations,

like predicting the weather, or trying to understand

a referee’s decision in a game of football.

Because it's so important, they're the topic

of today’s video.

We're going to be helped by four of my friends, Tessa and Lizzie,

and Jess and Antoine.

They're going to be looking at two close-up photos and trying

to guess what the object is.

While watching the video today, you guys have a task to

do as well.

I'd like you to listen to them talking and try to listen out

for the five different modals of deduction that they use.

Here's the first letters to help you.

Pause the video now, go get a pen and paper,

and copy this list.

Also, to help you, in every scene where

a modal of deduction is used, I've put a purple marker in

the corner of the screen.

One marker means just one person uses a modal,

and two markers mean that two people use them.

However, before we start the video please don’t forget to

subscribe to the channel.

That way you'll never miss out on any of our great videos.

Now, let's get on with the video.

Get your pen and list ready and listen out

for those modals of deduction.

Okay, people, I'm going to show you a close-up photo

of an object.

You'll need to talk together and decide

what you think the object is.

Do you understand? Yes.

Yes, we do.

Orange. It must be an orange.

It looks like ice cream.

I think it's an orange, but are they trying to trick us?

It must be fruit.

Yes, you're right, it could be ice cream.

Otherwise it might be a mango.

No, it's not a mango.

Mangoes have green skin.

Have you not tried an Indian mango?

They're completely yellow, the skin.

No, just English.

Yes, it could be a sweet.

Do you like those? I like sweeties.

Candies, as you call them.

I’ll let you choose this one.

Papaya.

Oh, no. Oh, a pencil.

That’s totally different.

A lightbulb?

It must be a light bulb.

It may be a lightbulb.

It can't be a lightbulb, no.

I'm going with lightbulb.

I don’t see that at all. Do you not?

What’s the blue bit?

It could be a soldering iron.

Maybe something you set fire with, like a lighter.

It could be a glue gun.

Is it a cross cable that’s been cut?

You see the inside of the cable.

Some sort of pen.

You're right, it could be a biro.

Look at the ink. I think you're right.

I think it is.

It might be a cable.

What's our guess then?

I'm sticking with my lightbulb.

It can't be a glue gun because it’s got ink around it.

I think it could be a pen.

I think you're right, it's a pen.

To me it's a lighter.

Go on, next.

Oh my gosh. Oh, a pencil.

Yes.

You know why I was saying a cable?

Yes. You see?

You are always right though.

Oh, thank you, that’s good.

You know better.

How many modals did you get?

Well done if you got all of them.

But, most importantly, how and when do we use them?

Let me explain.

We use must when we feel sure that something is true or it's

the only realistic possibility.

Like in this example from Jess.

It must be something that you can indent because it's

got little scratches.

That’s right, yes.

Another example could be, you're trying to call someone

early in the morning, you might say...

We use could, may or might to say that we think something is

possible but we're not sure.

Like in this example from Lizzie.

Otherwise it might be a mango.

Another example could be, the sky is a little bit grey.

You might say,

it's looking a bit grey out there.

I think it might rain.

We use can't when we feel sure that something is not possible.

Like in this example from Tessa.

It can't be a glue gun because it's got ink around it.

Let's have a recap on modal verbs of deduction and how

and when we use them.

We use must when we feel sure that something is true or it's

the only realistic possibility.

We use could, may or might to say that we think something is

possible but we're not sure.

We use can't when we feel sure that something is not possible.

So, there we go, five really useful modals of deduction for

next time you need to explain in English how sure or unsure

you are about something.

As ever, please don't forget to subscribe to the channel and to

share this video.

I’ll see you next time for more language fun.

See you later.