Results 1 to 4 of 4
Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Soup

Thread: "might" or "must"

  1. #1
    jctgf is offline Key Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    1,848

    Default "might" or "must"

    Mike: She always goes to work on a bike.
    Jane: .........

    (a) She is very healthy.
    (b) She must be very healthy.
    (c) She can be very healthy.
    (d) She might be very healthy.



    Hi,
    What's the answer, please?
    I'd choose "B" but I still don't know very well when to use "must" and "might".
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Soup's Avatar
    Soup is offline VIP Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • Canada
      • Current Location:
      • China
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    5,892

    Default Re: "might" or "must"

    (b) She must be very healthy.

    "Must" is most commonly used to express certainty.

    "Might" is most commonly used to express possibility.

    Source: ENGLISH PAGE - Modal Verb Tutorial
    jctgf likes this.

  3. #3
    jctgf is offline Key Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    1,848

    Default Re: "might" or "must"

    Soup,

    Thanks a lot for your explanation. It really made a difference.
    I took the test and for my surprise I only failed one question:

    3. Nina said she would come over right after work, so she ______ be here by 6:00.

    I answered "might" and the right one seems to be "should".
    I don't see why it cannot be "might".
    Is it because that's simply the way native speakers are used to say it?
    What's your opinion, please?
    Thanks.

  4. #4
    Soup's Avatar
    Soup is offline VIP Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • Canada
      • Current Location:
      • China
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    5,892

    Default Re: "might" or "must"

    Quote Originally Posted by jctgf View Post

    3. Nina said she would come over right after work, so she ______ be here by 6:00.
    You're most welcome.


    She should / is expected to be here by 6:00.
    "Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice. It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

    ENGLISH PAGE - Should

Similar Threads

  1. use of modal "must" with future meaning
    By Unregistered in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 24-Jun-2007, 11:55
  2. Is this "might" a subjunctive?
    By nyugaton in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 13-Sep-2006, 11:53
  3. "t" in "must" and "mustn't"
    By Constantinos in forum Pronunciation and Phonetics
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 28-Jan-2006, 03:57
  4. "must" and "have to"
    By pink dragon in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-Jan-2006, 01:56
  5. "must" for necessity or certainty
    By yunyun in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 19-Dec-2005, 15:28

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Hotchalk

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.1