Logical Deduction from Past Events.

"Summer House, Backyard" by Marc Chagall, 1918

Use "must have + past participle" to make a logical deduction about an event in the past. For example, "I have a stomachache. I must have eaten something bad.

Write the following sentences. Use the cue in the drop down menu to complete your sentence. Check your answer by clicking on the arrows to open the drop down menu.

1. Paul came late to work today.

oversleepHe must have overslept.

2. I have a bad stomachache

eat something badI must have eaten something bad.

3. Maria skipped dessert at the restaurant last night.

go on a dietShe must have gone on a diet.

4. My neighbor yelled at me this morning.

be very upsetHe must have been very upset.

5. You talked in your sleep last night.

have a bad dreamYou must have had a bad dream.

6. Margaret looks tired.

exercise a lotShe must have exercised a lot.

7. Gary drove through a red light this morning.

be daydreamingHe must have been daydreaming.

8. Mr. Parker's front door was wide open all day.

forget to lock itHe must have forgotten to lock it.

9. The streets were very wet this morning.

rain a lot last nightIt must have rained a lot last night.

10. The teacher's shoelaces are untied.

leave for school in a hurryHe must have left for school in a hurry.

11. Jim and Marlene have been spending a lot of time together.

fall in loveThey must have fallen in love.

12. Arnold just left the boss's office. Arnold has a smile on his face.

get a promotionHe must have gotten a promotion.

13. The birds ate all the blackberries in our backyard.

be very hungryThey must have been very hungry.

14. Lily and Arthur left the movie after only fifteen minutes.

not like itThey must not have liked it.

15. Yesterday, the flowers were small. Today they're very large.

grow a lot last nightThey must have grown a lot last night.

16. Several students aren't taking the final exam today.

already take itThey must have already taken it.

17. Milly won't wear her nice yellow dress today.

wear it yesterdayShe must have worn it yesterday.

18. Wally and Sue are walking in the rain without their umbrellas.

not hear the weather reportThey must not have heard the weather report.

19. I called you yesterday, but no one answered the phone.

not be homeYou must not have been home.

20. Wilma got out of the swimming pool and she looked exhausted.

swim a lot of lapsShe must have swum a lot of laps.

21. It's three thirty and Angela's kids aren't at school

she/already pick them upShe must have already picked them up.

22. The operation is over and the doctor looks quite calm and satisfied.

have a successful operationHe must have had a successful operation.

23. Josephina was accepted at many colleges.

get good grades in high schoolShe must have gotten good grades in high school.

24. Andy had the flu for a couple of weeks. Now, he's back at work.

get over the fluHe must have gotten over the flu.

25. Johnny was playing baseball outside. Now, there's a broken window, and a ball on the living room floor.

throw a ball through the windowHe must have thrown a ball through the window.

26. Rudy is posting pictures of his dog Fido on telephone poles.

Fido/run awayFido must have run away.

27. Dorothy's car isn't parked in the usual place.

drive it to workShe must have driven it to work.

28. Yesterday, the front steps were dirty. Now they're very clean.

you/sweep themYou must have swept them.

29. Edward's dishes were on the counter last night. This morning, they're all on the shelves.

put them awayHe must have put them away.

30. My backyard was dry last night. This morning, it was very wet.

rain a lot last nightIt must have rained a lot last night.