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Past Modals

Past Modals

Reference

Rule Example
sure: yesmust have + PPIt must have rained.
possiblemight / could have + PPShe might have missed it.
sure: nocan't have + PPHe can't have seen us.
criticism / regretshould(n't) have + PPYou should have told me.
unnecessary, but doneneedn't have + PPI needn't have brought it.

Common mistakes

  1. He must have not seen me. → He can't have seen me.
    negative deduction → can't have
  2. You should told me. → You should have told me.
    modal + have + past participle
  3. She might has gone home. → She might have gone home.
    always have, never has
  4. I needn't have to hurry. → I needn't have hurried.
    needn't have + past participle

Past Modals — Exercises

Choose the best modal

Circle the correct answer.

  1. The ground is white. It _____ snowed in the night. (must have / can't have / should have)
  2. She _____ the email — she replied to it. (can't have deleted / must have deleted / should have deleted)
  3. I'm not sure where Tom went. He _____ gone to the shop. (might have / must have / can't have)
  4. You _____ me you were coming — I'd have cooked. (should have told / must have told / should told)
  5. I _____ so much coffee — now I can't sleep. (shouldn't have drunk / mustn't have drunk / needn't drink)
  6. We _____ won — it was so close! (could have / must have / can't have)
  7. I bought a ticket but the concert was free. I _____ one. (needn't have bought / didn't need buy / mustn't have bought)
  8. The train was empty, so I _____ book a seat. I just got on. (didn't need to / needn't have / mustn't)

Complete with a past modal

Use the modal in brackets + have + the verb.

  1. She   the train — she's never late. (must / miss)
  2. He   the answer — he wasn't in class. (can't / know)
  3. You   me! I waited for an hour. (should / call)
  4. Be careful! You   hurt. (could / be)
  5. I   so early — the shop opened at ten. (needn't / get up)
  6. They   the wrong road. They're very late. (might / take)

Past Modals — Answer Key

Choose the best modal

  1. must have — Almost sure → must have.
  2. can't have deleted — Impossible → can't have deleted.
  3. might have — Possible → might have.
  4. should have told — Criticism → should have told.
  5. shouldn't have drunk — Regret → shouldn't have drunk.
  6. could have — Possible but didn't happen → could have.
  7. needn't have bought — Done but unnecessary → needn't have bought.
  8. didn't need to — Not necessary, not done → didn't need to.

Complete with a past modal

  1. must have missed
  2. can't have known
  3. should have called
  4. could have been
  5. needn't have got up
  6. might have taken