Past Modals

Past ability is:

• having had the means to do something

• you will be able to fulfill your promise

• you were able to respect the rules

• followed the instructions, but failed!

Past advice means:

• Someone strongly highlighted your duties

• Someone was(n't) obliged to do something

• A strong recommendation was given

• someone advised you to ask for permission, but your request was rejected!

Past obligation refers to:

• being recommended something

• having prior permission to do something in the past

• you could do something, but not as priority.

• something was mandatory, and possible punishment could follow if the task wasn't to done.

Past deduction conveys the meaning of

• neglecting a serious piece of advice

• reaching a conclusion upon having given a close look at some details

• you deduced a number from a larger one, and were left with little sum

• you could do without the means you had

Mrs. Redwood might have brought the plague back with her from India.

• Possibility

• Deduction

• Ability

[The news] would certainly have ruined the Great Exhibition.

• Deduction

• Advice

• Possibility

• Ability

The hotel manager might have conspired with the doctor.

• Ability

• Obligation

• Advice

• Possibility

They certainly must have conspired together in some way or another.

• Possibility

• Ability

• Deduction

• Obligation

They should have investigated her story more fully.

• Possibility

• Advice

• Asking for permission

• Giving permission

The hotel stuff can’t have disposed of the body and redecorated room 3.

• Possibility

• Ability

• Obligation

• Suggestion