1. What is modal of deduction?
Modal of Deduction is the way of understanding the meaning of the modals (may, might, could, must, can’t) in English.
2. There are three points in modal of deduction that need to be understood.
a. It is possible that something is true.
The formula is as follow: Might, may, could + Infinitive form without “to”
Example:
- They might be some kind of note. (the speaker is is not really sure, if there is a note or not yet, but the speaker think that there is a possibility that there is a note)
- It may be the teacher who knock the door. (the speaker is not sure yet, who is knocking the door, but he assume that it is possible that the teacher who knock the door)
- They could be misunderstanding between us. (the speaker assume that there are misunderstanding, but the speaker is not sure yet)
b. If the speaker is sure that it is true
The formula is as follow: Must + Infinitive form without “to”
Example:
- It must be a teacher who knock the door (the speaker is sure that the one who knock the door is the teacher, even though that it is not 100% true)
- Nando must go home already (it is not 100% true yet but the speaker is sure that Nando is going home already)
c. If the speakers is sure that it is not true
The formula is as follow: Can’t +infinitives form without “to”
Example:
- They can’t be my friend who knock the door (the speaker is sure that it is not his friend who knock the door, even though that it is not 100% true)
- It can’t be wrong (the speakers is sure that it is not wrong, even though that it is not 100% true)