Understanding Modal Verbs in the Past

Front

What do modal verbs combined with the perfect infinitive allow us to talk about?

Back

Front

What does 'must have + past participle' express?

Back

Certainty about a past event.

Front

What does 'might/may/could have + past participle' express?

Back

Possibility in the past.

Front

What does 'can’t/couldn’t have + past participle' express?

Back

Certainty that something didn’t happen.

Front

What does 'should/ought to have + past participle' express?

Back

Criticism or regret about something that should’ve happened but didn’t.

Front

What does 'would have + past participle' talk about?

Back

Hypothetical situations in the past.

Front

Provide an example of 'must have + past participle'.

Back

He must have forgotten the meeting because he didn’t show up.

Front

Provide an example of 'might have + past participle'.

Back

She might have left early because she wasn’t feeling well.

Front

Provide an example of 'can’t have + past participle'.

Back

They can’t have finished the project already—it was too big for one day!

Front

Provide an example of 'should have + past participle'.

Back

You should have called me before coming—I wasn’t home.