PAST MODALS
1. A: I used the camera all the week. But yesterday it didn't work.
B: You should have taken spare batteries.
a) It was a good idea to take them.
b) It's possible he didn't check the batteries.
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2. The book was here a minute ago. Someone might have taken it.
a) It's possible that someone took it.
b) It can't be true that someone took it.
c) I'm sure that some has come and taken it.
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3. Oh my god! The car is crushed. The driver must have been speeding.
a) It's possible that he was speeding.
b) I'm sure sure that he was speeding.
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4.You were driving a car when you called me. You can't have been at home.
a) It's possible he wasn't at home.
b) I'm sure he wasn't at home.
How sure are we?
Meaning Example
%
certainty They must have got lost (= I'm sure they did).
probability She might have missed your call (= she probably did).
ability,
He could have called me (= but he didn't).
probability
impossibility,
It couldn't have snowed in June (= but it did).
lack of ability
It can't have been Jill. She is much taller. (= I'm sure it
impossibility
wasn't her.)
X good idea You should have spoken to your boss (= but you didn't).
You shouldn't have shouted at your boss (= but you
X bad idea
did).
X imaginary result I would have relocated (= but I didn't).
1. Choose the correct option:
1. I’m not a fan of their logo. I think they ______ changed it years ago.
a) could have
b) would have
c) must have
d) should have
2. I can’t believe you met Steve Jobs in person. That _______ been amazing!
a) should have
b) must have
c) couldn't have
d) might have
3. Do you think we _______ avoided the economic crisis if we had taken greater precaution?
a) should have
b) might not have
c) could have
d) must have
4. Our new hire is exactly what we needed. We _______ asked for a better employee.
a) couldn't have
b) wouldn't have
c) may have
d) shouldn't have
5. John _______ been at the party last night. He’s not even in the country. He flew to Japan yesterday
morning.
a) couldn't have
b) may not have
c) might not have
d) shouldn't have
6. The investigators have several ideas about what _______ caused the fire.
a) should have
b) might have
c) would have
d) wouldn't have
7. I’m not completely convinced of his innocence. I think he _______ been involved.
a) must have
b) should have
c) might have
d) must not have
8. You _______ mentioned it in front of the rest of the team. I would have talked to him in private about it.
a) shouldn't have
b) should have
c) would have
d) could have
9. Kurt ________ slept much last night. He looks awful and is on his third cappuccino.
a) must not have
b) must have
c) could have
d) wouldn't have
10. They said they were going to pick us up at 7 p.m. I think they _______ taken a wrong turn somewhere.
a) must not have
b) should have
c) may have
d) would have
11. Did I do the right thing? Is it what you ________ done?
a) must have
b) could have
c) should have
d) would have
12. We _______ changed distributors if they had kept their prices competitive.
a) wouldn't have
b) might have
c) couldn't have
d) shouldn't have
13. He didn’t even crack a smile at my jokes. He _______ thought they were funny.
a) shouldn't have
b) wouldn't have
c) must not have
d) should have
14. Our security system shows that he swiped in with his badge at 8:14 AM, so he ________ been in the
office yesterday.
a) should have
b) must have
c) might have
d) could have
15. Matt _______ graduated college in 1997. He was only 14 years old.
a) may not have
b) might not have
c) must not have
d) couldn't have
16. Tim’s supposed to be here, but it looks like he _______ forgotten.
a) may have
b) would have
c) couldn't have
d) shouldn't have
17. Teresa’s English is flawless. She _______had a lot of exposure to the language.
a) should have
b) may have
c) could have
d) must have
18. He looked completely dejected after the interview. It _______ gone very well.
a) shouldn't have
b) must not have
c) should have
d) wouldn't have
19. You ________ told me you needed help. I would have pitched in.
a) must not have
b) shouldn't have
c) should have
d) may have
20. The virus _______ done us a lot of harm. Fortunately, it didn’t.
a) couldn't have
b) should have
c) may have
d) could have
2. Complete the sentences with correct past modal forms:
1. You're all wet! You …................................... taken an umbrella.
2. Max …................................... gone on holiday. I saw him this morning.
3. You …................................... left all your homework until the last minute!
4. 'I just saw John in town and he ignored me!' 'I'm sure he didn't ignore you – he
…................................... seen you.'
5. I haven't got my wallet. I …................................... left it at home.
6. Maria looked upset this morning. She …................................... failed the exam.
7. The restaurant is really busy. You …................................... booked a table!
8. 'I think I've seen this film before.' 'You …................................... seen it – it's just been
released.'
3. Complete the sentences with correct past modal forms:
1. John …................................... gone on holiday. I saw him this morning downtown.
2. Nobody answered the phone at the clinic. It …................................... closed early.
3. I …................................... revised more for my exams. I think I'll fail!
4. Sarah looks really pleased with herself. She …................................... passed her driving test
this morning.
5. I didn't know you were going to Phil's party yesterday. You …................................... told
me!
6. I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet. He …................................... caught the wrong train.
7. I can't believe Jim hasn't arrived yet. He …................................... caught the correct train.
8. Don't lie to me that you were ill yesterday. You …................................... been ill - Don said
you were at the ice hockey match last night.
9. I don't know where they went on holiday but they bought Euros before they left so they
…................................... gone to France or Germany.
10. His number was busy all night - he …................................... been on the phone
continuously for hours.
11. It …................................... been Mickey I saw at the party. He didn't recognise me at all.
Speaking
1. Is there anything that you should have done today or this week that you haven’t done or
didn’t do?
2. Can you think of a time when something that you did didn’t go well. Could you have done
anything differently?
3. Talk about a time that you found something difficult and should have asked for help.
4. Can you think of a time that you made a silly or obvious mistake that you could have easily
avoided?
5. Can you think of a decision that you made that you may have made differently if you had
been better informed?
6. What is something you should have learned from a past experience?
7. Can you think of a time that you said something that you shouldn’t have said? For example
in an argument.
8. Could you have handled a difficult situation better if you had more experience?
