SHOULD-MUST-MIGHT (PAST)
What structure do we use to give advice about the past?
Should have - past participle
What structure shows something was impossible in the past?
can’t/couldn’t have + past participle
Which modal describes repeated past actions?
would
Complete: ¨You_____ applied for the scholarship.¨(regret)
Should have
“They __ gone swimming; their suits are here.”
can’t have
Which structure is used for past states or situations?
used to
Which modal expresses strong certainty in the past?
Must have - past participle
What does “couldn’t have” express?
certainty that something did NOT happen
Complete: “When I was a child, I __ play outside every day.”
Would
Complete: “He __ been in a fight.” (very sure)
must have
Which modal means “it was not necessary” in the past?
didn’t have to
Complete: “They __ live in York.”
Used to
Which modals express possibility in the past?
might/may/could have + past participle
“didn’t need to” vs “needn’t have”?
didn’t need to = no necessity, didn’t do it
needn’t have = did it but it wasn’t necessary
Key difference between would and used to?
• would = repeated actions
• used to = actions + states/situations