B2
Hypothesizing
ការសន្និដ្ឋាន និងការប៉ាន់ស្មាន
🎯 Objective / គោលបំណង:
Learn to guess about the Present and the Past using "Modals of Deduction".
💬 Scenario: The Empty Office
Dara
"The office is empty. The lights are off, but it's only 4 PM."
Vanna
"That's strange. They can't be gone already."
(99% Sure - Impossible)
Dara
"Maybe there's a team meeting? They might be in the conference room."
(50% Sure - Possible)
Vanna
"Wait, I see a cake on the table. Someone's birthday? They must have gone to the breakroom for a party!"
(95% Sure about the Past - Logical Conclusion)
1. The Scale of Certainty
95-100%: "Must" / "Can't"
Use when you have strong evidence.
- Present: "It must be true."
- Past: "It must have been true."
40-50%: "Might" / "Could"
Use when it's just a possibility.
- Present: "He might be busy."
- Past: "He might have been busy."
2. The Past Formula
Modal + HAVE + V3 (Past Participle)
Example: "He could have forgotten."
Select the Right Deduction
Evidence: "The streets are completely wet, but it's sunny now."
Make a past deduction:
A. "It might rain."
B. "It must have rained."
C. "It can't have rained."
Evidence: "Dara is not answering his phone. That is very unusual for him."
Make a present deduction:
A. "He must be busy or in a meeting."
B. "He can't be busy."
C. "He should answer."