Page 19 - Journeys English C1 (Grammar Book)

Literature 2

Past modals
We use the past modals to talk about past actions. We form past modals with the modal verb + (not) +
have + the past participle of the verb.

To refer to unreal but possible past actions

Use could have to talk about a past possibility or if an action was possible in the past but did not occur.
They could have forgotten about our meeting today.
I could have gone to the party, but I decided to stay home instead.
Use may have or might have when an action was only a possibility.

She may have/might have taken a different route to work this morning.
Use ought to or should have to talk about what was likely/probable in the past or to comment about
someone’s behaviour.
They ought to have/should have finished the project by yesterday. It was a straightforward task.
You should have called ahead to confirm the reservation. The restaurant is usually busy on weekends.
Use would have when something did not occur.

We would have gone on a trip, but our car broke down unexpectedly.

To refer to past regrets
Use should have/shouldn’t have to refer to things that you wish you had or hadn’t done in the past
which cannot be changed.
I shouldn’t have shared my password with my sister.

D. Complete the sentences with the past modals
below.
might have
ought to have could have

would have
may not have
shouldn’t have
1. I don’t know where Jane is. She
left the office early today.
2. I shouted at my brother.
He’s just a kid.

3. They arrived at the
conference by now. The event started an hour
ago.

4. The courier delivered the
package to the wrong address.

5. We gone to the beach
yesterday, but we had unexpected visitors at
home.
6. He finished the project on
time.

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