Past modals

Keep the same meaning

100

Maybe Joanna missed the last bus

--> Joanna........the last bus

could/might/may have missed

200

Peter knew how to skate when he was 12. 

--> Peter......skate when he was 12.

Emma was wrong not to tell you the answer.

--->Emma..... you the answer.

could/was able to

should have told

300

It wasn't necessary for us to pay to get in.

--> We....pay to get in.

I'm sure that Diana didn't take your books.

--> Diana.... your books.

didn't have/need to

can't have taken

400

Perhaps David didn't notice you.

--> David... noticed you.

Terry arrived early, but it wasn't necessary.

-->Terry...arrived early.

may/might not have

needn't have

500

It wasn't necessary for me to buy any food yesterday.

--> I didn't ... any food yesterday.

It was a bad idea for us to be rude to the policeman.

--> We.... been rude to the policeman.

have/need to buy

shouldn't have

Rewrite the sentences

100

Did you manage to stop him?

---> Were....

were you able to stop him?

200

It wasn't neccessary to work hard

--> I didn't.....

I didn't have to/ need to work hard

300

Perhaps Tim has lost his way......

--> Tim might....

It was possible for you to hurt yourself

-->You could...

Tim might have lost his way

You could have hurt yourself

400

It would have been a good idea to tell me

--> You should...

You were wrong to study so late

--> You shouldn't

you should have told me

you shouldn't have studied so late

500

I'm sure the class enjoyed it

--> The class must...

I helped her but it wasn't necessary

--> I needn't

the class must have enjoyed it

I needn't have helped her

Rewrite the sentence

100

You were wrong to spend so much time on Question 1

rewrite the sentence so it doesn't contain the words in ITALICS

You shouldn't have spent so much time on Question 1

200

I suppose the thief broke the window to get in

The thief must have broken the window to get in

300

You cleaned all the windows, which wasn't necessary

I'm sure someone took the money from your coat

You needn't have cleaned all the windows

Someone must have taken the money from your coat

400

It's impossible, you didn't see Jack because he was at home

At my school it wasn't necessary for us to take lots of exams.

You can't have seen Jack because he was at home

At my school, we didn't have to take lots of exams

500

It's possible that I left my keys at home, but I'm sure I had them when I left

It would have been a good idea for us to stay at home

I may/might/ could have left my keys at home but I'm sure I had them when I left

We should have stayed at home

Complete the setences

100

I have lost my bag. I think I......(must/bus).

I think I must have left it on the bus.

200

I tried to phone Same, but I... (could/get through).

I couldn't get through

300

I forgot Kate's birthday. I... (should/a present).

I should have bought her a present.

400

Cats don't like fruit. You (shouldn't/oranges).

Jo isn't here yet. I suppose she (might/the address).

You shouldn't have fed/ given it oranges.

She might have forgotten the address.

500

I did badly in the test. I (ought/harder)

It's a shame we didn't go on holiday. We (could/fun)

I ought to have studied harder

We could have had fun