Past Modals

Past Modal Form

100

A: I ______ (could/go) to the movies with you, but I decided to study instead. B: You didn't miss anything. You ________ (might/not/like) it anyway.

A: I COULD HAVE GONE to the movies with you, but I decided to study instead. B: You didn't miss anything. You MIGHT NOT HAVE LIKED it anyway.

200

A: I __________ (should/not/drive) to work this morning. There was so much traffic. B: You ________ (should/take) the bus. It was empty.

A: I SHOULDN'T HAVE DRIVEN to work this morning. There was so much traffic. B: You SHOULD HAVE TAKEN the bus. It was empty.

300

A: She ______ (could/not/leave) yet. We're not that late. B: But she ______ (might/forget) to wait for us.

A: She COULDN'T HAVE LEFT yet. We're not that late. B: But she MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN to wait for us.

400

A: You ______ (must/have) a great time last night. I heard you come in at 2:00 a.m. B: It was great. you ______ (should/stop by) after you left the library. You ______ (could/hear) the new band.

A: You MUST HAVE HAD a great time last night. I heard you come in at 2:00 a.m. B: It was great. you SHOULD HAVE STOPPED BY after you left the library. You COULD HAVE HEARD the new band.

500

A: I lost my keys last night. I ______ (might/leave) them at your house. B: No, you ______ (could/not). You drove home with them. A: That's right. Then I ______ (must/drop) them after I parked the car. B: You ______ (might/lock) them in your car. Have you checked?

A: I lost my keys last night. I MIGHT HAVE LEFT them at your house. B: No, you COULDN'T HAVE. You drove home with them. A: That's right. Then I MUST HAVE DROPPED them after I parked the car. B: You MIGHT HAVE LOCKED them in your car. Have you checked?

Meaning and Use

100

List the modal verbs used to guess about a past situation when you don't have much proof. (3)

May (not) have, might (not) have, could have.

200

When do you use "Must have"

To draw conclusions about the past when you are certain of something. There is evidence and you are sure about it

300

1) I (could have buyed/could have bought) fresh coffee on my way to the office, but I didn't do it 2) I (could ride/could have ridden) my bicycle to school every day, but I never did because I was afraid of the traffic.

1) I COULD HAVE BOUGHT fresh coffee on my way to the office, but I didn't do it 2) I COULD HAVE RIDDEN my bicycle to school every day, but I never did because I was afraid of the traffic.

400

1) I should have told you. a) I think I made a mistake b) I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. 

2) I should have studied more for my test. I didn't practice at all! a) I'm surprised that I passed. b) I didn't pass.

1) I should have told you. a) TRUE b) TRUE 2) I couldn't have passed my driver's test. I didn't practice at all! a) false b) true

500

It is your mom's birthday and you went partying last night. She is really mad at you and you regret going out last night 

I shouldn't have gone out yesterday

Miscellaneous

100

I _____________ (buy) bread but I didn’t know we needed it. (past possibility)

I could have bought bread but I didn’t know we needed it. (past possibility)

200

The bill should have ____ by now. 

a. to arrive b. arrived c. have arrived

The bill should have arrived by now.

300

I’m really cold! I ________ (bring) my coat. (past advice / regret)

I’m really cold! I should have brought my coat. (past advice / regret)

400

Amanda ____________ (finish) the work, but she felt ill and had to go home. (past willingness)

Amanda would have finished the work, but she felt ill and had to go home. (past willingness)

500

Luke ____________ (pass) the exam if he’d studied a bit more. (past possibility)

Luke could have passed the exam if he’d studied a bit more. (past possibility)

Past Participles

100

1) Cut, 2) Put, and 3) Hurt

Answer: Cut, Put, Hurt

200

1) Bring, 2) Buy, and 3) Catch

Answer: Brought, Bought, Caught

300

1) Sit, 2) Stand, and 3) Fly

Answer: Sat, Stood, Flown

400

1) Drink, 2) Dig, 3) Forget, and 3) Hide

Answer: Drunk, Dug, Forgotten, Hidden

500

1) Teach, 2) Shine, 3) Get, and 4) Become

Answer: Taught, Shone, Gotten, Become

Error Correction

100

They mayn't have called yet.

They may not have called yet.

200

When he could have called?

When could he have called?

300

May he have taken the train instead of the bus?

Could he have taken the train instead of the bus?

400

She must have a cold yesterday.

She must have had a cold yesterday.

500

I should have asked him. I'm sorry that I did.

I shouldn't have asked him. I'm sorry that I did. I should have asked him. I'm sorry that I didn't.