When we combine modal verbs with the Pres.
past perfect (HADVE+ PAST PARTICIPLE) we form the modal
perfect:
MODAL VERB + HAVE + VB. PAST PART.
It is similar to using a modal verb with the present perfect.
Can't have + past participle: for indicating an
impossibility in the past or for stablishing a negative He can't have passed the exam.
conclusion in which we are sure that something Él no puede haber aprobado el examen.
didn’t happen in the past.
Could have + past participle: For indicating a
You could have finished the cake.
possibility that something could happen in the past
Podías haber terminado la tarta.
or could be done but didn’t happen in the end.
Peter couldn't have written that speech.
Couldn't have + past participle: when we are 100% No es posible que Peter haya escrito ese
sure that something didn’t happen in the past. discurso.
It couldn't have rained during the night.
Puede que no haya llovido durante la
noche.
They may / might have been here.
May (not), might (not) + have + past participle: for Puede que ellos hayan estado aquí.
expressing supositions/possibilities/probabilities
about past facts. It may not / might not have rained.
Puede que no haya llovido.
Must + have + past participle: For expressing that He's studied a lot. He must have passed
we are 100% sure that something happened in the the exam.
past. Él ha estudiado mucho. Tiene que haber
aprobado el examen.
You should have done the shopping.
Should / Ought to + have + past participle: for
Deberías haber hecho la compra.
giving an opinion about past events (criticism for not
having followed an advice) Mark ought to have travelled to
London.
Mark debería haber viajado a Londres.
Should not / Shouldn't + have + past participle: For
expressing regret or criticism about a past fact. I shouldn't have said that.
No debería haber dicho eso.
You needn't have worn that tie.
Needn't + have + past participle: not obligation or No era necesario que llevaras esa
necessity in the past. We can also use didn't have corbata.
to. You didn't have to wear that tie.
No tenías que ponerte esa corbata.
Fill in the blanks using MUST, CAN’T, MAY, MIGHT, COULD, SHOULD, SHOULDN’T and the PAST FORMS
of them!
1.Sally looks worried . She ________________________ a problem with something (HAVE).
2.Bob ________________________at school because I haven’t seen him all day (BE).
3.I ________________________ you the money. Why didn’t you ask me (LEND)
4.Mr Travis hasn’t come to work yet. He has never been late for work. He
________________________ the bus (MISS).
5.She knew everything about our plans. She ________________________ to our conversation
(LISTEN)
6.A: Will you come to my birthday party tomorrow afternoon ?
B : I’m sorry but I ________________________ because I have to look after my sister. (COME)
7.Timmy is a very good boy. He isn’t naughty, so he ________________________ that window.
Somebody else ________________________ it (BREAK 2X)
8.The street is wet this morning . I’m not sure but it ________________________ last night (RAIN).
9.She ________________________ like an angel when she was a child (SING)
10.A : I talked to your science teacher yesterday.
B : You ________________________ to her because she wasn’t at school yesterday. (TALK)
11.Mrs White bought a new fur coat ! -She ________________________ the lottery (WIN).
12.He came home alone yesterday. You ________________________ him do that ; he
________________________ lost. (LET, GET)
13.He read the message but he ________________________ it (UNDERSTAND)
14.The singer has got a sore throat so she ________________________ at the concert (SING)
15.It ________________________ Jack I saw in the park yesterday, but I’m not sure about it (BE).
16.We can’t wait any longer. Something________________________ at once (DO).
17.Everyone shouted in fear. They ________________________ very afraid (BE).
18.A : I’m afraid Ted is watching TV again.B : He ________________________ TV because his room
is completelysilent and dark. He ________________________ . (WATCH, SLEEP)
19.I can’t find my book . I ________________________ on the bus (LEAVE)
20.She ________________________ stupid. She teaches maths at the university (BE)
