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He said he may have seen the painting, but he couldn't remember the details
He said he might have seen the painting, but he couldn't remember the details.
Rule: Use "might" for past possibility in reported speech.
She couldn't have let him fixing her phone without proper tools.
She couldn't have let him fix her phone without proper tools.
Rule: After "let," use the base form of the verb.
They might be late because they couldn't found a taxi.
They might be late because they couldn't find a taxi.
Rule: Use the base form of the verb after "couldn't."
The detective insisted that the suspect must had stolen the jewels.
The detective insisted that the suspect must have stolen the jewels.
Rule: Use "must have + past participle" for deduction about the past.
I thought I heard them to argue in the other room, but I wasn't sure.
I thought I heard them arguing in the other room, but I wasn't sure.
Rule: Use the present participle with perception verbs like "hear" when referring to ongoing actions.
She asked the stylist to done her hair for the event.
She asked the stylist to do her hair for the event.
Rule: Use the base form of the verb after "to" in causative constructions.
We were made to wait in the cold for over an hour yesterday.
We were made to wait in the cold for over an hour yesterday.
Rule: Passive causative with "make" requires "to" before the verb.
He said he can't hear the announcement because of the noise in the station.
He said he couldn't hear the announcement because of the noise in the station.
Rule: Use "couldn't" for past ability in reported speech.
They had the old carpet remove and replaced with hardwood floors.
They had the old carpet removed and replaced with hardwood floors.
Rule: In causative structures, use the past participle for the passive meaning.
She claimed she might know about the missing documents but didn’t offer any evidence.
She claimed she might have known about the missing documents but didn’t offer any evidence.
Rule: Use "might have + past participle" for past possibility or speculation.
She said she might knew the answer but can’t have remembered it during the test.
She said she might have known the answer but couldn’t remember it during the test.
Rules: Use "might have + past participle" for past speculation and "couldn't" for past inability.
The teacher made us to write an essay, and we had it typed by ourselves.
The teacher made us write an essay, and we had it typed by someone else.
Rules: After "made," use the base form of the verb. Use the causative correctly with the appropriate agent.
He thought he must saw someone in the garden, but it can’t been real.
He thought he must have seen someone in the garden, but it can’t have been real.
Rules: Use "must have + past participle" for past deduction and "can’t have + past participle" for past impossibility.
I could see them to dance through the window, but they must didn’t notice me.
I could see them dancing through the window, but they must not have noticed me
They said they could fix the issue yesterday, but instead, they had repaired it today.
They said they could have fixed the issue yesterday, but instead, they had it repaired today.
Rules: Use "could have + past participle" for past ability and the correct passive causative form.
He claimed that he might of heard the alarm, but he didn’t do nothing about it.
Correction: He claimed that he might have heard the alarm, but he didn’t do anything about it.
Rules: Use "might have + past participle" for past speculation and avoid double negatives.
She had the mechanic checking the car because it might not be started.
Correction: She had the mechanic check the car because it might not have started.
Rules: Use the base form after "had" in causative constructions and "might not have + past participle" for past possibility.
The witness reported that the thief can’t have been taller than six feet, but he must wear a hat.
The witness reported that the thief can’t have been taller than six feet, but he must have been wearing a hat.
Rules: Use "must have + past participle" for deductions about the past and correct the modal verb usage for speculation.
They insisted on having the documents delivering by 5 p.m., but the courier might have forgot.
They insisted on having the documents delivered by 5 p.m., but the courier might have forgotten.
Rules: Use the past participle for the passive causative and "might have + past participle" for past possibility.
I thought I saw her to left the building, but she mustn’t be gone yet.
I thought I saw her leave the building, but she must not have gone yet.
Rules: Use the base form after "saw" for perception verbs and "must not have + past participle" for past deduction.
I am used to live in this city, but I can’t never get used to the noise of its traffic. My friend gave a book of my brother's to me.
I am used to living in this city, but I can never get used to the noise of its traffic. My friend gave my brother’s book to me.
Rules: Use the gerund after "be used to," avoid double negatives, and correct the double genitive structure.
He’s been knowing her for five years, but he still hasn’t get used to her spending so much time on her hobbies. She offered to the children a new toy for their collection
He’s known her for five years, but he still hasn’t got used to her spending so much time on her hobbies. She offered the children a new toy for their collection.
Rules: Use the present perfect simple for stative verbs, correct "get used to" to the past participle, and fix the word order in the double object construction.
I used to be used to playing the piano every day, but now I have get used to practice only once a week. The car of John's father is parked outside.
I used to play the piano every day, but now I have got used to practicing only once a week. The car of John’s father is parked outside.
Rules: Use the correct past simple "used to," use "got used to" + gerund, and fix the genitive structure.
They have been visiting this museum five times already this month, so they’re getting used to be here. Someone gave to me the keys yesterday, but I can’t find them now.
They have visited this museum five times already this month, so they’re getting used to being here. Someone gave me the keys yesterday, but I can’t find them now.
Rules: Use the present perfect simple for repeated actions, correct "to being" after "getting used to," and fix the double object structure.
She’s been trying to get used to eat spicy food, but she used to disliked it as a child. He gave me it as a birthday present instead of the one I wanted.
She’s been trying to get used to eating spicy food, but she used to dislike it as a child. He gave it to me as a birthday present instead of the one I wanted.
Rules: Use the gerund after "get used to," correct "used to" with the base verb, and fix the double object word order.