Modal Perfect verbs
Inglés Profesional II
Mg. JUDIT SARAÍ SARMENTO PÁRRAGA
1
Introduction to Modal Auxiliary
Verbs (Simple form)
These are the modal auxiliary verbs:
can could must shall should will would
They have certain things in common:
1 They go with another verb and add meaning.
He should work harder.
I can speak three languages.
2 The form is the same for all persons.
She must be on time.
(There is no ‘s in the third person singular.)
He would like this café.
It will be cold this winter.
Introduction to modal auxiliary
verbs
3 There is no do/does in the question.
Can you speak Italian?
Should we take the bus?
4 There is no don’t/doesn’t in the negative.
We won’t be late.
They shouldn’t make so much noise.
5 Most modal verbs refer to the present and future. Only can has a past tense form.
could
He talk when hecouldn’t
was two.
I’m late because I find a taxi.
Modal auxiliary verbs (PERFECT)
• All modal perfect auxiliary verbs refer to the past
Modal + Have (Infinitive) + Past Participle
• We can use a modal verb with have and a past participle:
Subject Modal have Past
participle
They will have arrived by now.
You might have seen the film.
Jack and Jill would have been late.
MODAL PERFECT USES
We use a modal verb with have:
• to refer back from the present:
It's nearly eight o'clock. They will have arrived by now.
• to refer back from a point of time in the past:
We were very worried. We thought someone might have
taken the car.
• to refer back from a point of time in the future:
We won't eat until they arrive. They might not have had
supper.
• to refer to past time:
You should have helped her when she asked.
They might have got lost. Nobody knows where they are.
Must + Have
Example:
must have done = we are almost sure something happened in the
past. We based on evidence.
• ·Jane wasn't feeling well yesterday. She must have caught a cold.
• · Bill didn't answer the phone when I called him. He must have
fallen asleep.
Can’t + have
Example:
can't have done = we are almost sure something did not happen in the
past. It’s the same than must have but in negative form.
• · She can't have forgotten to send you an invitation. I gave her your
address.
• · They can't have gone to bed late. They were very tired
Could + have
to express something was possible in the past but didn’t happen
Example:
could have done = we had the ability to do something in the past but did
not do it also used to express the possibility of something happening in
the past.
• You could have told us about the new project!
• · She could have called me when she arrived but she forgot
• You could have been killed in that accident.
• I could have won that game.
Should / ought to + have
to express advice o criticism about the past
Example: should have / ought to have done = (a) it was the right thing
to do but we didn't do it. (b) we expected something to happen but it
didn't.
• You should have told him the truth.
• · They ought to have received the cheque by now.
Would + have
It is used to express actions take place in the past:
Example:
would have done = we wanted to do something but we
didn't do it in the end.
• They would have emailed you but the Internet was
down yesterday.
• · I would have bought that DVD but I didn't have enough
money.
May / Might /Could + have
Example:
may / might / could have done = it is possible that something
happened in the past but we aren't sure, also means speculation
about the past.
• Laura hasn't arrived yet. She may/might/could have missed the
bus.
• · I didn't see Paul at work. He may/might/could have been ill
May / Might /Could + have
Example:
• Edward is late. He might’ve missed his bus or he might’ve
overslept.
• We hadn’t heard of him for a long time, he might’ve gone
abroad
PRONUNCIATION:
• Let’s match the phonetic script with the words.
• Listen and chorus these lines as a class.
1. It must have been stolen
2. I can’t have lost it
3. He could have taken it
4. I might have dropped it
5. She may have found it.
Let’s practice!
Make the correct modal perfect form (use could have / would have /
should have + past participle)
1) I _______________________ (buy) bread but I didn't know we
needed it. (past possibility)
2) We _______________________ (invite) so many people to our
party! I'm worried that we won't have enough room for everyone.
(past negative advice / regret)
3) I _______________________ (start) saving money years ago!
(past advice / regret)
4) We _______________________ (join) you at the restaurant, but
we couldn't get a babysitter. (past willingness)
5) The weather _______________________ (be) any worse! (past
negative possibility)
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)
6) I _______________________ (arrive) on time, even if I'd left earlier.
There were dreadful traffic jams all the way. (past negative possibility)
7) They _______________________ (win) the football match, but John
hurt his ankle. (past possibility)
8) Amanda _______________________ (finish) the work, but she felt ill
and had to go home. (past willingness)
9) Lucy _______________________ (leave) earlier. She missed her
flight. (past advice / regret)
10) We _______________________ (finish) the game, even if we'd
wanted to. It was raining very hard and we had to stop. (past negative
possibility).
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)
11) _______________________ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick!
(past negative advice / regret)
12) Luke _______________________ (pass) the exam if he'd studied a
bit more. (past possibility)
13) John _______________________ (call) Amy, but he didn't have her
number. (past willingness)
14) You _______________________ (be) rude to him. He's going to be
really angry now. (past negative advice / regret)
15) She _______________________ (come) to the restaurant if she'd left
work earlier. (past possibility)
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)
16)You ___________________ (take) this job. I can see you're not
enjoying it. (past negative advice / regret)
17)The race was really difficult. She ________________ (win) because
she's not fit enough. (past negative possibility)
18)Our neighbours ___________________(cut) down the tree in their
garden. It was a really beautiful tree. (past negative advice / regret)
19)The children ____________________ (do) their homework last night.
Then they wouldn't be panicking on the way to school. (past advice /
regret)
20)I'm really cold! I ___________________ (bring) my coat. (past advice /
regret)
