DEDUCTION & OBJECT PRONOUNS
Must / can't for logical conclusions — me, you, him, her, it, us, them
Deduction language interprets evidence; object pronouns prevent unnecessary repetition when people or things receive an action.
05LESSON TOPIC
From evidence to conclusion
Must expresses a strong positive deduction: the evidence makes the conclusion very likely. Can't expresses a strong negative deduction: the evidence makes the conclusion impossible. Both are followed by the base form. Object pronouns appear after verbs and prepositions when a person or thing is the object rather than the subject.
MODELShe must be in the locker room because her bag is still here.
The counsellor spoke to them about managing anxiety.
STRONG POSITIVE DEDUCTIONmust + V1
He must be in the science lab; his coat is here.
STRONG NEGATIVE DEDUCTIONcan't + V1
The headmaster can't be here; he is at a conference.
OBJECT AFTER VERBverb + object pronoun
The teacher asked her to stay after class.
OBJECT AFTER PREPOSITIONpreposition + object pronoun
Our leader explained the rules to us.
| Subject pronoun | Object pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | me |
| you | you |
| he / she / it | him / her / it |
| we / they | us / them |
Don't confuse deduction with prohibition:He can't be in class. = I am sure he is not there. You mustn't use your phone in class. = it is prohibited.