Page 21 - Grasp English B1+ (Grammar Book)

Quick-Tempered 3

Perfect modal verbs

We use perfect modals to talk about different situations in the past. They are formed as:
modal verb + have + past participle

Usage Modal verb
certainty in the past can’t have + V3

having the ability or chance to do something in the past could have + V3
but we didn’t
not having the ability or chance to do something in the couldn’t have + V3
past

regrets or unfulfilled obligations; expectations should have + V3
criticism shouldn’t have + V3

possibility in the past may/might have + V3

past deductions must have + V3
unnecessary past action needn’t have + V3

events in the past that did not happen would have + V3
(usually combined with if clauses)

D. Complete the sentences using a perfect modal from the boxes.

1. Susan looks so happy. She may have headed
the driving test.
2. You were seen at the mall yesterday, but you told me you were
can’t have been
sick in bed. You sick at all.
3. I don’t know for sure, but Eric who
shot the man in the street. might have seen
4. My mother constantly forgets which bus to take to my house.
She is late. She the wrong bus must have taken
again!
5. Nobody knows where he went. He must have passed
towards the south.
6. The children were playing in the street a few minutes ago on must have been
a school day. It a holiday or
something.

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