Deductions and Explanations
English Grammar
Just, Might/May and Can’t
Rewrite the sentences below, using must, can’t or might/may.
1. I’m sure they’ve arrived.
They must have arrived.
2. I’m sure she’s not having lunch.
She can’t be having lunch.
3. Perhaps he didn’t hear you.
He may not have heard you
4. I’m sure it hasn’t been snowing.
It can’t have been snowing
5. Perhaps he wasn’t telling the truth.
He may not have been telling the truth.
6. I’m sure you’re exhausted.
He must be exhausted.
7. May be he was delayed.
He might have been delayed 8. I’m convinced you haven’t forgotten my name.
You can’t have forgotten my name
9. I’m sure I was dreaming.
I must have been dreaming.
10. I’m sure you’re imagining things.
You must be imagining things.
11. It’s possible that they’re going away.
They might be going away
12. I’m sure they weren’t serious.
They can’t have been serious.
13. Obviously he’s been kidnapped.
He must have been kidnapped
14. Perhaps she’s going to ring.
She may be going to ring.
15. I’m sure they were informed.
They must have been informed.
1. I’m sure they’ve arrived.
They must have arrived.
2. I’m sure she’s not having lunch.
She can’t be having lunch.
3. Perhaps he didn’t hear you.
He may not have heard you
4. I’m sure it hasn’t been snowing.
It can’t have been snowing
5. Perhaps he wasn’t telling the truth.
He may not have been telling the truth.
6. I’m sure you’re exhausted.
He must be exhausted.
7. May be he was delayed.
He might have been delayed 8. I’m convinced you haven’t forgotten my name.
You can’t have forgotten my name
9. I’m sure I was dreaming.
I must have been dreaming.
10. I’m sure you’re imagining things.
You must be imagining things.
11. It’s possible that they’re going away.
They might be going away
12. I’m sure they weren’t serious.
They can’t have been serious.
13. Obviously he’s been kidnapped.
He must have been kidnapped
14. Perhaps she’s going to ring.
She may be going to ring.
15. I’m sure they were informed.
They must have been informed.
Conclusions from Evidence
Draw three different conclusions from each of the following pieces of evidence.
1. There are five bottles of mils on their front door step.
a. They must have forgotten to cancel their milk deliveries before they went away.
b. They can’t have woken up yet.
c. There must be some guests staying with them.
2. There are two large suitcases in her car.
a. someone must have forgotten to take two suitcases.
b. She must have bought a new one.
c. They can’t be of herself
d. She must be going to airport
3. I saw the wheelers coming out of the American Embassy this morning.
a. They must have brought in use the wheelers.
b. They wheelers can’t have been used before.
c. They must be bringing wheelers in use. can’t be
4. His name isn’t in the phone book.
a. I must have written his name in my notebook
b. I can’t have written in my other notebook.
c. It must be in my diary.
5. Her coat’s on the floor.
a. She must have forgotten to take it.
b. She can’t have left the flat
c. She must be somewhere else here.
1. There are five bottles of mils on their front door step.
a. They must have forgotten to cancel their milk deliveries before they went away.
b. They can’t have woken up yet.
c. There must be some guests staying with them.
2. There are two large suitcases in her car.
a. someone must have forgotten to take two suitcases.
b. She must have bought a new one.
c. They can’t be of herself
d. She must be going to airport
3. I saw the wheelers coming out of the American Embassy this morning.
a. They must have brought in use the wheelers.
b. They wheelers can’t have been used before.
c. They must be bringing wheelers in use. can’t be
4. His name isn’t in the phone book.
a. I must have written his name in my notebook
b. I can’t have written in my other notebook.
c. It must be in my diary.
5. Her coat’s on the floor.
a. She must have forgotten to take it.
b. She can’t have left the flat
c. She must be somewhere else here.
Giving Reasons for Deductions
Explain the following deductions using an if sentence.
1. He can’t be a soldier-he’s not wearing a uniform.
If he was a soldier, he would be wearing a uniform.
2.There can’t be anyone at hone-the car’s gone.
If there was someone at home, the car would not have gone.
3.They must be having an argument-they’ve shut the door.
If they were not having an argument, they wouldn’t have shut the door.
4.She can’t have been enjoying herself-she left early.
If she had been enjoying herself, she would not have left early.
5.He must have been here recently-the kettle’s warm.
If he was not here if he had not been here recently, the kettle would not be warmed.
6.He can’t be working at the library- 1 haven’t seen him there.
If he was working at the library, I could not have seen him there.
7.She must know English-she was listening to the BBC.
If she didn’t know English she would not have been listening to the BBC.
8.They must have got lost-they’re not here yet.
If they had not got lost, they would be here.
1. He can’t be a soldier-he’s not wearing a uniform.
If he was a soldier, he would be wearing a uniform.
2.There can’t be anyone at hone-the car’s gone.
If there was someone at home, the car would not have gone.
3.They must be having an argument-they’ve shut the door.
If they were not having an argument, they wouldn’t have shut the door.
4.She can’t have been enjoying herself-she left early.
If she had been enjoying herself, she would not have left early.
5.He must have been here recently-the kettle’s warm.
If he was not here if he had not been here recently, the kettle would not be warmed.
6.He can’t be working at the library- 1 haven’t seen him there.
If he was working at the library, I could not have seen him there.
7.She must know English-she was listening to the BBC.
If she didn’t know English she would not have been listening to the BBC.
8.They must have got lost-they’re not here yet.
If they had not got lost, they would be here.
Advantages and Disadvantages
English Grammar
Effect’ Verbs
Rewrite the sentences about supermarkets below, beginning with the words given. Use an appropriate verb from the list for each answer.
encourage enable allow make it easier
discourage save force make it more difficult
1. People tend to buy more in supermarkets because of the open display.
The open display encourages people to buy more.
2. People can also steal things more easily because of the open display.
The open display makes it easier for people to steal things.
3. There’s wide range of goods, so you can do all your shopping in one place.
The wide range of goods enables you to do all your shopping in one place.
4. Some supermarkets use cameras, so that people are less likely to steal things.
The use of cameras discourages people from stealing things.
5. Most supermarkets have a car park next door, so customers don’t have to carry their shopping a long way.
Having a car park next door saves the customer from carrying their shopping a long way.
6. Supermarkets buy in bulk, so they can sell things at cut prices.
Buying in bulk allows super market to sell things at cut prices.
7. Because supermarkets sell things at cut prices, smaller shops have to lower their prices too.
The cut prices in supermarkets forces smaller shops to lower their prices too.
8. Because of the competition from supermarkets, it’s harder for smaller shops to stay in business.
The competition from supermarkets makes it more difficult for smaller shops to stay in business.
encourage enable allow make it easier
discourage save force make it more difficult
1. People tend to buy more in supermarkets because of the open display.
The open display encourages people to buy more.
2. People can also steal things more easily because of the open display.
The open display makes it easier for people to steal things.
3. There’s wide range of goods, so you can do all your shopping in one place.
The wide range of goods enables you to do all your shopping in one place.
4. Some supermarkets use cameras, so that people are less likely to steal things.
The use of cameras discourages people from stealing things.
5. Most supermarkets have a car park next door, so customers don’t have to carry their shopping a long way.
Having a car park next door saves the customer from carrying their shopping a long way.
6. Supermarkets buy in bulk, so they can sell things at cut prices.
Buying in bulk allows super market to sell things at cut prices.
7. Because supermarkets sell things at cut prices, smaller shops have to lower their prices too.
The cut prices in supermarkets forces smaller shops to lower their prices too.
8. Because of the competition from supermarkets, it’s harder for smaller shops to stay in business.
The competition from supermarkets makes it more difficult for smaller shops to stay in business.
Positive and Negative Advice
Complete the following sentences with: (a) there’s no point/it’s not worth (b) might as well.
1. Since they don’t appreciate good food anyway
a. there’s no point in cooking them anything special.
b. you might as well 1 heat up something out of a tin.
2. If the theater never fills up anyway
a. There is no point in booking the ticket in advance
b. You might as well buy a ticket in counter itself.
3. Since you’re only going to read the book once
a. it’s not worth in buying that book/it
b. You might as well take my book.
4. If they’re going to televise the match live
a. There is no point in going to stadium.
b. You might as well watch in TV.
5. Since everyone else will be wearing jeans
a. There is no point in wearing cotton suit.
b. You might as well take a paint of jean.
6. If you’re sure the police will find you anyway
a. There is no point in hiding in longer.
b. You might as well (go to him directly.) surrender yourself.
1. Since they don’t appreciate good food anyway
a. there’s no point in cooking them anything special.
b. you might as well 1 heat up something out of a tin.
2. If the theater never fills up anyway
a. There is no point in booking the ticket in advance
b. You might as well buy a ticket in counter itself.
3. Since you’re only going to read the book once
a. it’s not worth in buying that book/it
b. You might as well take my book.
4. If they’re going to televise the match live
a. There is no point in going to stadium.
b. You might as well watch in TV.
5. Since everyone else will be wearing jeans
a. There is no point in wearing cotton suit.
b. You might as well take a paint of jean.
6. If you’re sure the police will find you anyway
a. There is no point in hiding in longer.
b. You might as well (go to him directly.) surrender yourself.
Clarifying
English Grammar
Information Questions:
Fill the gaps below with information questions.
1. A: What was the weather like?
B: It was cold and rather windy.
2. A: Which size of shoes do you take?
B: I take 36, actually. I’ve got rather small feet.
3. A : How many time do you brush?
B: Ooh after every meal, usually.
4. A: What have you got?
B: I’ve got a Labrador.
5. A: When are you going to set your hair
B: I’m going to have it shampooed and set.
6. A: Mr. Coombs left $20,000 when he died.
B: Really? Who did inherit it?
7. A: I only took one photo while I was in Rome.
B: Did you? Where did you take my photo ?
8. A Ow! think I’ve been stung.
B: Really ? Where were you?
9. I’ve managed to borrow that $ 100 I need.
B: Have you? Who has lent it?
10. A: I had a really strange dream last night.
B: Do you ? What did you see in the dream?
11. A: Sh! I’m listening to the Prime Minister on the radio.
B: Are you ? What is he saying?
1. A: What was the weather like?
B: It was cold and rather windy.
2. A: Which size of shoes do you take?
B: I take 36, actually. I’ve got rather small feet.
3. A : How many time do you brush?
B: Ooh after every meal, usually.
4. A: What have you got?
B: I’ve got a Labrador.
5. A: When are you going to set your hair
B: I’m going to have it shampooed and set.
6. A: Mr. Coombs left $20,000 when he died.
B: Really? Who did inherit it?
7. A: I only took one photo while I was in Rome.
B: Did you? Where did you take my photo ?
8. A Ow! think I’ve been stung.
B: Really ? Where were you?
9. I’ve managed to borrow that $ 100 I need.
B: Have you? Who has lent it?
10. A: I had a really strange dream last night.
B: Do you ? What did you see in the dream?
11. A: Sh! I’m listening to the Prime Minister on the radio.
B: Are you ? What is he saying?
Indirect Questions
Combine the following pairs of sentences into indirect questions.
1. What does he do for a living ? I often wonder.
I often wonder what he does for a living.
2. Does she like classical music? Can you remember?
Can you remember whether she likes classical music
3. Where are you going for your holidays? Have you decided yet?
Have you decided yet where you are going for your holiday.
4. Are you coming tomorrow? I need to know now.
I need to know if you are coming tomorrow.
5. Did you ever find your camera? I’ve been meaning to ask you.
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you ever found your camera.
6. What crime has he been charged with? Do you know?
Do you know what crime he has been changed with ?
7. What time does the concert start? I’ve no idea.
I’ve no idea what time the concert starts.
8. Did he look angry? Did you notice?
Did you notice if he looked angry.
9. What is our brother’s name? I’ve forgotten.
I’ve forgotten what your brother name is?
1. What does he do for a living ? I often wonder.
I often wonder what he does for a living.
2. Does she like classical music? Can you remember?
Can you remember whether she likes classical music
3. Where are you going for your holidays? Have you decided yet?
Have you decided yet where you are going for your holiday.
4. Are you coming tomorrow? I need to know now.
I need to know if you are coming tomorrow.
5. Did you ever find your camera? I’ve been meaning to ask you.
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you ever found your camera.
6. What crime has he been charged with? Do you know?
Do you know what crime he has been changed with ?
7. What time does the concert start? I’ve no idea.
I’ve no idea what time the concert starts.
8. Did he look angry? Did you notice?
Did you notice if he looked angry.
9. What is our brother’s name? I’ve forgotten.
I’ve forgotten what your brother name is?
Checking Up
I. PRESENT TENSE IS IT?
II. PAST TENSE WAS IT?
III. Ask questions beginning Is/Was it ?, as in the examples.
1. Excuse me, sir. Did you order three steaks or four?
Excuse me, sir. Was it three or four steaks that you ordered?
2. Has your father been helping you with your homework? Or has your mother?
Is it your father or our mother who’s been helping you with your homework?
3. Do remind me- did we last meet in Paris or Madrid?
Do remind me-was it in Paris or Madrid that we last met.
4. I’ve completely forgotten-do we have to come early tomorrow or the day after?
Is it tomorrow or the day after that we have to come early?
5. He’s engaged to a Japanese girl, I thing, Or maybe she’s Chinese.
Is she Japanese or Chinese girl that the is engaged to ?
6. Do you grow flowers or vegetables in your garden?
Is it flowers or vegetable that you grow in your garden?
7. Did you want to speak to the manager or the assistant manager?
Was it manager or the assistant manager that you wanted to speak to ?
8. I can’t remember- are you going to London by bus or by train?
I can’t remember is it by bus or by train that you going to London?
9. Johns father own a garage, doesn’t he? Or am I thinking of Tony?
Is it John’s father or Tony’s who owns a garage?
10. Can you remind me-are the Spencers arriving on Saturday or Sunday?
Can you remind me- is it on Saturday or Sunday when the Spencers are arriving?
II. PAST TENSE WAS IT?
III. Ask questions beginning Is/Was it ?, as in the examples.
1. Excuse me, sir. Did you order three steaks or four?
Excuse me, sir. Was it three or four steaks that you ordered?
2. Has your father been helping you with your homework? Or has your mother?
Is it your father or our mother who’s been helping you with your homework?
3. Do remind me- did we last meet in Paris or Madrid?
Do remind me-was it in Paris or Madrid that we last met.
4. I’ve completely forgotten-do we have to come early tomorrow or the day after?
Is it tomorrow or the day after that we have to come early?
5. He’s engaged to a Japanese girl, I thing, Or maybe she’s Chinese.
Is she Japanese or Chinese girl that the is engaged to ?
6. Do you grow flowers or vegetables in your garden?
Is it flowers or vegetable that you grow in your garden?
7. Did you want to speak to the manager or the assistant manager?
Was it manager or the assistant manager that you wanted to speak to ?
8. I can’t remember- are you going to London by bus or by train?
I can’t remember is it by bus or by train that you going to London?
9. Johns father own a garage, doesn’t he? Or am I thinking of Tony?
Is it John’s father or Tony’s who owns a garage?
10. Can you remind me-are the Spencers arriving on Saturday or Sunday?
Can you remind me- is it on Saturday or Sunday when the Spencers are arriving?
Correcting
Correct the statements below.
1. Charles Dickens was born in Stratford-on-Avon.
It wasn’t Charles Dickens who was born in Stratford-on-Avon. It was Shakespeare.
2. Doctors look after your teeth.
It isn’t a doctor who looks after you teeth. It is dentists.
3. Marco Polo discovered America.
It wasn’t Marco Polo who discovered America-It was Christopher Columbus.
4. The sun causes the tides.
It isn’t sun which causes the tide. It is moon.
5. Democracy started in Italy.
It wasn’t in Italy where democracy started. It was in Athens.
6. Agatha Christie wrote the James Bond stories.
It wasn’t Agatha Christie who wrote the James Bond stories . It was Ian Fleming .
7. India has the largest population in the world.
It isn’t India that has a largest population in the world. It is china.
8. Martin Luther king was assassinated in Dallas.
It wasn’t Martin Luther king who was assassinated in Dallas, It was John Kennedy.
1. Charles Dickens was born in Stratford-on-Avon.
It wasn’t Charles Dickens who was born in Stratford-on-Avon. It was Shakespeare.
2. Doctors look after your teeth.
It isn’t a doctor who looks after you teeth. It is dentists.
3. Marco Polo discovered America.
It wasn’t Marco Polo who discovered America-It was Christopher Columbus.
4. The sun causes the tides.
It isn’t sun which causes the tide. It is moon.
5. Democracy started in Italy.
It wasn’t in Italy where democracy started. It was in Athens.
6. Agatha Christie wrote the James Bond stories.
It wasn’t Agatha Christie who wrote the James Bond stories . It was Ian Fleming .
7. India has the largest population in the world.
It isn’t India that has a largest population in the world. It is china.
8. Martin Luther king was assassinated in Dallas.
It wasn’t Martin Luther king who was assassinated in Dallas, It was John Kennedy.
