Past Modals

Explanations
Had to and must

have
Should have and

ought to have
Had to is the past form of must and refers to a past obligation.

Sorry I'm late, I had to post some letters.
The negative form is didn't have to and refers to an absence of obligation.
Must have refers to past certainty, (see below)
Where *should appears, ought to is also possible.
Expectation
Should have refers to something which was supposed to happen.
The parcel I sent you *should have arrived by now.
Criticism of an action
You *shouldn't have eaten so much last night.
Should have and verbs of thinking
The past form knew in the example is an unreal verb form, and the should
have form is used according to 'sequence of verb forms'. See Grammar 9.
/ should have thought you knew.
With be and adjectives describing chance
It was strange that you should have been staying in the same hotel last year.
As a polite expression of thanks on receiving a gift or a favour
I've done the washing up for you. - Oh, you really shouldn't have!
The intonation should be friendly, as this is not a criticism.
Could have
Could have refers to past possibility or uncertainty.

David could have won the race if he had tried, (possibility/ability)
It could have been Sue, I suppose, (uncertainty)
Couldn't have is also possible for both meanings.
Couldn't have can be used with comparative adjectives.
We couldn't have been happier in those days.
Could have can also express unwillingness.
She could have gone to the party with her friends, (but she didn't)
We couldn't have left the dog on its own. (so we didn't)
Could
Could refers to past permission or past ability.

When I was sixteen I could stay out till 11.00. (I was allowed to)
Mary could swim when she was three, (she actually did)
72
Compare:
Mary could have swum when she was three, (but she didn't)
GRAMMAR
May have and

might have
12
MODALS:
PAST
Might have refers to past possibility which did not happen.

You might have drowned!
Might have and may have refer to uncertainty.

/ suppose I may have been rather critical.
Both can be used in the negative to express uncertainty.

They might not have received our letter yet.
Might have is used to express annoyance at someone's failure to do
something. There is strong stress on the words underlined.
You might have told me my trousers were split!
/ might have known + would is an idiom by which the speaker expresses
ironically that an action was typical of someone else.
/ might have known that he would be late.
A: It was Jack who broke the vase. B: / might have known!
Must have and
can't have
These refer to the speaker's certainty about a past action.

Someone must have taken it. (I am sure they did)
You can't have lost it. (I am sure you didn't)
Both can also be used with surely in exclamations.
Surely you can't have eaten all of it!
Surely you must have noticed it!
Would not
This expresses an unwillingness in the past.

Everyone was angry because Sam wouldn't turn off the television.
Would have
Would have can refer to events in the past which did not actually happen.
/ would have accepted this job, but I didn't want to move house.
Assumptions about the past are also possible with would have.
A: Someone called after you left but didn't leave a message.
B: That would have been Cathy, probably.
Needn't have and
didn't need to
Adverbs and
modals
Needn't have done refers to an unnecessary action which was actually done.
You needn't have paid all at once, (you did pay)
Didn't need to refers to an unnecessary action which was not done.
/ didn't need to go to the dentist again, luckily.
Adverbs such as well, easily, obviously, really, just are often used to emphasise
modal expressions, in both present and past time.
You could easily have been killed.
I might well decide to come.
She obviously must have left.
You couldn't really have managed without me.
I might just take you up on that.
73
ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE
Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
2
That can't have been/shouldn't have been Nick that you saw.
You must have given/might have given me a hand!
I caught a later train because I had to see/must have seen a client.
I suppose Bill should have lost/might have lost his way.
I didn't refuse the cake, as it should have been/would have been rude.
I don't know who rang, but it could have been/must have been Jim.
It was odd that you should have bought/would have bought the same car.
I asked them to leave but they might not/wouldn't go.
It's a pity you didn't ask because I can't help/could have helped you.
It's your own fault, you can't have/shouldn't have gone to bed so late.
Complete each sentence using one of the phrases from the box.
a) You and your big mouth! It was supposed to be a secret. You

told her!
b) The plane is late. It
landed by now.
c) You
met my brother. I haven't got one!
d) There is only one explanation. You
left your
keys on the bus.
e) You
heard me right. I definitely said 204525.
f) The meat is a bit burnt. You
cooked it for so
long.
g) I'm sorry. I accept I
been a little bit rude.
h) You really
taken so much trouble over me.
i) Was it really necessary? You
tell the police, you
know,
j) Keep your fingers crossed! The traffic warden
noticed the car's parking ticket has run out!
74
GRAMMAR
12
MODALS:
PAST
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.
a) It wouldn't have been right to leave you to do all the work on your own.
couldn't
all the work on your own.
b) Perhaps they didn't notice the tyre was flat.
might
They
the tyre was flat.
c) All that trouble I went to wasn't necessary in the end.
needn't
I
all that trouble.
d) Apparently someone has borrowed the cassette player.
have
Someone
the cassette player.
e) I'm disappointed that you didn't back me up!
might
You
me up!
f) Our worrying so much was a waste of time.
needn't
We
so much.
g) It's just not possible for the cat to have opened the fridge.
possibly
The cat
the fridge.
h) It would have been possible for Helen to take us in her car.
could
Helen
i) It's possible that the last person to leave didn't lock the door.
us a lift.
might
The last person

the door unlocked.
j) School uniform wasn't compulsory at my school.
wear
We
school uniform at my school.
75
ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE
Complete each sentence by writing one word in each space. Contractions (can't)
count as one word.
a) I
have become a millionaire, but I decided not to.
b) You
have been here when Helen told the boss not to be so
lazy! It was great!
c) Peter wasn't here then, so he
have broken your vase.
d) I
have bought that car, but I decided to look at a few others.
e) If you felt lonely, you
have given me a ring.
f) Don't take a risk like that again! We
have lost because of you.
g) It's been more than a week! You
have had some news by now!
h) We were glad to help. We
have just stood by and done
nothing.
i) You really
have gone to so much trouble!
j) I
have thought that it was rather difficult.
5
Correct any errors in these sentences. Some sentences are correct.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Surely you mustn't have forgotten already!

Even Paul couldn't have foreseen what was coming next ..................
Frances might not have understood what you said ..................
It was funny that she should have remembered me ..................
Harry may have won the match with a bit more effort ..................
You must have told me you had already eaten ..................
Look, there's 30 in my wallet. I shouldn't have gone to the bank after all.
h) You mustn't have been so unkind!

i) I couldn't have managed without you
j) I have no idea who it was, but I suppose it would have been Ann
6
Underline the most suitable adverb for each space.
a) Someone obviously/currently/fortunately must have picked it up by mistake.

b) He could really/cheerfully/easily have stolen the painting without anyone
knowing.
c) I may surely/well/dearly have made a mistake.
d) You really/clearly/needlessly shouldn't have spent so much on my present.
e) Bill rarely/simply/certainly wouldn't listen to anything we said.
f) I couldn't just/yet/already have left without saying a word.
g) Certainly/Rarely/Surely you can't seriously believe that I am guilty!
h) I opened the window, I greatly/surely/simply had to get some fresh air.
i) I still/unfortunately'/surely couldn't have come to your party,
j) How dangerous! You could still/strongly/well have been injured!

Past Modals

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Explanations

Had to and must

Should have and

Had to is the past form of must and refers to a past obligation.

Could have refers to past possibility or uncertainty.

Could refers to past permission or past ability.

May have and

Might have refers to past possibility which did not happen.

Might have and may have refer to uncertainty.

Both can be used in the negative to express uncertainty.

These refer to the speaker's certainty about a past action.

This expresses an unwillingness in the past.

ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

a) You and your big mouth! It was supposed to be a secret. You

The last person

ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Correct any errors in these sentences. Some sentences are correct.

Surely you mustn't have forgotten already!

h) You mustn't have been so unkind!

Underline the most suitable adverb for each space.

a) Someone obviously/currently/fortunately must have picked it up by mistake.

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