PERFECT MODAL VERBS FORM: USE:
rd
Modal verb + HAVE + Participle (VReg +ed / VIrr 3 column)
Deductions, opinions or comments about events that happened in the past.
PRACTICAL SITUATIONS 1.
The speaker is certain that something happened or was true. MUST HAVE: She must have studied a lot. Her exam is excellent.
2.
The speaker guesses that something was possible or true. MAY HAVE: He may have gone out. He doesn’t answer the phone. MIGHT HAVE: She might have forgotten to throw the rubbish out.
3.
The speaker thinks something was possible, but it didn’t happen in the end. COULD HAVE: You could have passed the exam. MIGHT HAVE: You might have had an accident.
4.
The speaker is sure that something didn’t happen. CAN’T HAVE: She can’t have finished. It’s too early. COULDN’T HAVE: They couldn’t have predicted the tornado.
5.
Something happened, but it was not necessary. NEEDN’T HAVE: You needn’t have brought a gift.
6.
The speaker regrets something that happened. SHOULD HAVE / OUGHT TO HAVE: You should have / ought to have called me earlier. SHOULDN’T HAVE: He shouldn’t have bought this car. It’s too old.
7. The speaker desired to do something, but it couldn’t be done. WOULD HAVE: I would have gone to the demonstration, but I was very busy.
PRACTICE ON MODAL VERBS AND MODAL PERFECTS 1 Complete the sentences with the modal verbs in the box. can • must (x2) • can’t • could • should • couldn’t • may • have to (x2) • will be able to • need
He’s not coming rafting because he ___ swim.
___ I use your phone, please?
I wanted to watch a film, but I ___ make the DVD
Sssh, stop talking! You ___ make noise.
player work. I ___ play guitar, but not well enough to play in your band. Wendy ___ relax as soon as her exams finish next week. Oliver ___ solve difficult maths problems when he was really young.
If you feel bad, you ___ lie down and take a rest. He can go home now. He ___ stay here. If I cook, then Caroline ___ do the washing-up. You ___ stop spending the whole day on the internet. It’s not healthy! You ___ come with us if you don’t want to.