Modals of Deduction (Present)

• We use modal verbs to make logical guesses about things happening now based on evidence in our server logs or error reports.
• Modal
• Meaning
• Example
• must
• almost certain it is true
• The error rate is 100%, so the server must be down.
• might / could
• possible
• The spike might indicate a sudden traffic surge.
• can't
• almost certain it is not true
• The request ID is completely missing, so this user can't be authenticated.
• Remember
• Use 'must' when you are almost 100% sure based on clear clues.
• Use 'might' or 'could' when something is a possibility.
• Use 'can't' when you are sure something is impossible.
• Always follow the modal verb with the base form of the main verb.
• Examples
• Nathan is looking at the dashboard, so he must know about the bug.
• This strange pattern might mean someone is trying to breach our security.
• The database response time can't be normal with all those failed queries.
• Common mistakes
• The database must to be offline.
• The database must be offline.
• This outlier can't be correct.
• This outlier can't be correct.

Complete the sentences

• The system is responding instantly, so the network latency (not high) ____ high right now.
• Look at all those duplicate request IDs; someone (repeat action) ____ testing the payment gateway.
• The timestamp on this record is incorrect, which (possible) ____ synchronization issues in London.
• Kevin is not answering his phone in the Seattle office, so he (busy) ____ deep in a debugging session.
• That strange error code appears on every single replica in Bristol; it (certain) ____ a global configuration bug.
• The client IP address belongs to our office in Austin, so this traffic (impossible malicious) ____ an external attack.

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