Modal verbs - past

Modal verbs - past

could, was able to, must have, can't have, may have, might have, could have, had to, should have, ought to have, needn't have, didn't need to

Could and was able to

To talk about general past ability we use could:

When I was young, I could run very fast.

To talk about one specific past action we use was able to:

Luckily, Mary was able to help us.

Must have and can't have

These are used to make logical deductions about past actions.

I must have left my wallet in the car. (I am sure I did)

Jim can't have noticed you. (I am sure he didn't)

May have, might have and could have

These express possibility or uncertainty about past actions.

Jean might have missed the train. (perhaps she did)

He may not have received the letter. (perhaps he didn't)

You could have been killed! (it was a possibility)

Had to

Must has no past form, so we use had to.

Sorry I'm late, I had to take the children to school.

The question form is

Did you have to? Did you have to work late yesterday?

Should have and ought to have

These express the feeling that a mistake was made. There is a criticism.

I should have posted this letter yesterday. (I didn't do the right thing)

You shouldn't have told me the answer. (you were wrong to do so)

Needn't have and didn't need to

There is a slight difference between these two forms. Compare:

I needn't have arrived at seven.

(I arrived at seven, but it wasn't necessary)

I didn't need to arrive at seven.

(we don't know when I arrived - maybe seven or later)

But in everyday speech we often use didn't need to for both cases.

Questions

Choose the right option.

Multiple Choice

A: What did I do wrong?

B:

• 1) YOU shouldn't have connected these two wires.

• 2) You didn't have to connect these two wires.

Multiple Choice

A: Why is the dog barking?

B:

• 1) It should have heard something.

• 2) It must have heard something.

Multiple Choice

A: Why are you home so early?

B:

• 1) I needn't have worked this afternoon.

• 2) I didn't have to work this afternoon.

Multiple Choice

A: Why did you worry about me? I didn't take any risks.

B:

• 1) You must have been injured.

• 2) You could have been injured.

Multiple Choice

A: You forgot my birthday again!

B:

• 1) Sorry, I should have looked in my diary.

• 2) Sorry, I had to look in my diary.

Multiple Choice

A: We had a terrible crossing on the boat in a storm.

B:

• 1) That didn't have to be very pleasant!

• 2) That can't have been very pleasant!

Multiple Choice

A: Where were you yesterday? You didn't turn up!

• 1) I had to go to London.

• 2) I must have gone to London.

Multiple Choice

A: What do you think about the election?

B:

• 1) The Freedom Party had to win.

• 2) The Freedom Party should have won.

Multiple Choice

A: There's a lot of food left over from the party, isn't there?

B:

• 1) Yes, you couldn't have made so many sandwiches.

• 2) Yes, you needn't have made so many sandwiches.

Multiple Choice

A: What do you think has happened to Tony?

B:

• 1) I don't know, he should have got lost.

• 2) I don't know, he might have got lost.

Multiple Choice

We should have turned left.

• We've missed the turning.

• We followed the instructions.

Multiple Choice

The butler must have stolen the jewels.

• He was ordered to.

• There is no other explanation.

Multiple Choice

You could have phoned from the station.

• I'm sure you did.

• Why didn't you?

Multiple Choice

You needn't have bought any dog food.

• There isn't any.

• There is plenty.

Multiple Choice

Ann might not have understood the message.

• I suppose it's possible.

• She wasn't supposed to.

Multiple Choice

You can't have spent all the money already!

• You weren't able to.

• I'm sure you haven't.

Multiple Choice

I shouldn't have used this kind of paint.

• It's the right kind.

• It's the wrong kind.

Multiple Choice

• 1) You must have read the notice.

• 2) You should have read the notice.

Multiple Choice

• 1) You must have caused an accident!

• 2) You might have caused an accident!

Multiple Choice

• 1) He must have hit him in the right spot!

• 2) He should have hit him in the right spot!