Les modaux de déduction servent à exprimer notre degré de certitude sur une situation présente. Est-ce une certitude absolue ou une simple supposition ?
1. Certitude Affirmative : MUST (90%+)
On utilise Must quand on est presque sûr que quelque chose est vrai car c’est la seule explication logique.
- The lights are on. They must be at home.
- He’s carrying an umbrella. It must be raining.
2. Possibilité : MIGHT / COULD / MAY (30-50%)
On utilise ces modaux quand on n’est pas sûr, c’est une simple hypothèse.
- He’s not answering. He might be busy.
- It could be true, but I’m not sure.
3. Certitude Négative : CAN’T (90%+) ⚠️
Attention ! Pour dire que quelque chose est “impossible”, on n’utilise pas mustn’t, mais Can’t.
- He only left a minute ago. He can’t be far.
- She’s a vegetarian. She can’t be eating a burger!
💡 Résumé visuel
| Degré de certitude | Affirmative | Négative |
|---|---|---|
| Sûr à 100% | Must | Can’t |
| Peut-être | Might / Could / May | Might not / May not |
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
Choisis entre must, might ou can’t.
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
#1 She's been working for 12 hours. She be exhausted.
#2 That be Tom. He's in New York this week.
#3 I'm not sure who he is. He be the new teacher.
#4 You haven't eaten all day! You be hungry.
#5 A: Is it raining? B: I don't know. It be.
#6 He speaks with a French accent. He be French.
#7 This answer be right. I've checked it twice and it's wrong.
#8 They are always together. They be good friends.
#9 I can't find my keys. They be in the car.
#10 It's 3 AM. He be sleeping now.