modal verbs +have+past participle

modal verbs + have + past participle

module 7

What are modal verbs​ ?

​Modal verbs are auxiliary or helping verbs that express meaning.

​They are must, can/could, will/would, shall/should, need to, may/might. would rather and had better

Quick notes​

​Modal verbs + have + past participle

​Used to show we are not 100% sure about what happened

​may/might + have + past participle

​to express possibility

​

might is the past tense form of may

​could + have + past participle

​to express possibility in the past

​should/shouldn't + have + past participle

​to express regret about something that happened or didn't happen

​

​to express probability

​must + have + past participle

​to express a positive deduction

​would rather + have + past participle

​to express preference in the past

​needn't + have + past participle

​to express ​what wasn't necessary but it was done

​Read the following sentences and decide the correct modal verb for each blank.

​1. The students did well on the test. They ____have studied hard.

​2. There are other reasons why the students did well on the test. It ___ have been very easy.

​3. She ____ have driven there. Her car keys are here.

​Read the following sentences and decide the correct modal verb for each blank.

​1. The students did well on the test. They must have studied hard.

​Must shows positive deduction (presuming the students studied hard)

​2. There are other reasons why the students did well on the test. It might have been very easy.

​Might shows the possibility that the test was easy.

​3. She couldn't have driven there. Her car keys are here.

​Couldn't shows that driving was not a possibility.

​When deciding on modal verbs, context is crucial. Understand the situation by reading the clues provided in the sentence or sentences.

Practice​

Multiple Choice

I _____my parents the truth. Now I'm in trouble.

• should have told

• may have told

Multiple Choice

Look out! You ____that window with the football.

• must have broken

• could have broken

Multiple Choice

My bike isn't in the garage. My brother ___.

• must have taken it

• shouldn't have taken it

Multiple Choice

Freddie ____ well last night. He's very tired today.

• can't have slept

• shouldn't have slept 

Multiple Choice

Mum, you ____ me a new MP4 player . I repaired my old one and it works fine.

• couldn't have bought

• needn't have bought

Multiple Choice

The film was awful.  We ___at home.

• might have stayed

• 'd rather have stayed

Multiple Choice

If you couldn’t do it, you ____ her.

• should have told

• must have told

Multiple Choice

I___ shopping than sightseeing. It was tiring

• 'd rather have gone

• should have gone

Fill in the Blank

I think James _____drunk all the milk. There's none left

Fill in the Blank

I can't find that email. I think I ____deleted it

Fill in the Blank

You ____ called me and let me know you weren't coming.