When we are referring to different events, things, and situations speculatively, or in a way that is based on guessing or on opinions that have been formed without knowing all the facts it’s pivotal that we understand the past modals and how to use them.
Past modals, also known as modal verbs in the past, are used to express various degrees of necessity, possibility, or probability in the past. They include modal verbs like “must have,” “should have,” “could have,” “might have,” and “ought to have.” These modals help us talk about events or actions that happened in the past, with a sense of certainty, possibility, or obligation.
Here are some examples of past modals with explanations:
- Must have: This expresses a strong deduction or certainty about something that happened in the past.
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- She must have forgotten her keys at home. (I’m sure she forgot her keys.)
- He must have arrived early. (I’m certain he arrived early.)
2. Should have: This expresses an expectation or a recommendation about something that was expected to happen in the past.
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- You should have called me last night. (I expected you to call, but you didn’t.)
- She should have studied more for the exam. (It was recommended, but she may not have done it.)
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3. Could have: This indicates a possibility or ability in the past, even if the action did not actually happen.
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- They could have taken a different route. (They had the option to take a different route.)
- I could have gone to the party, but I chose not to.* (I had the ability to go, but I didn’t.)
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4. Might have: This suggests a possibility or a small degree of probability in the past.
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- She might have left already. (There is a chance that she has already left.)
- They might have finished the project by now. (It’s possible they have completed it.)
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5. Ought to have: This expresses an expectation or obligation that was present in the past.
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- You ought to have finished your homework by now. (There was an expectation that you would finish it.)
- He ought to have apologized for his behavior. (He had an obligation to apologize.)
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In all these examples, the modal verbs are followed by a past participle (e.g., have forgotten, arrived, called). The combination of the modal verb and the past participle conveys the specific meaning associated with each modal.
Past Modals Quiz 1
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Answer the following questions using the correct form of must have/should have/could have + past participle:
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Question 1 of 10
1. Question
She ____________ (to know) about the party. It was all over social media.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
They ____________ (to be) more careful while playing in the rain.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
He ____________ (to leave) the book on his desk, but it’s not there.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
You ____________ (to forget) your grandmother’s birthday; it was an important event.
Correct
Well done!
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Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
She ____________ (to accept) for the job interview yesterday, but she didn’t get the call.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
They ____________ (to take) the train if they arrived at the station earlier.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
He ____________ (to be) exhausted after working a double shift.
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Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
You ____________ (to bring) your umbrella; it started raining suddenly.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
She ____________ (to study) for the exam, but because she didn’t, she failed it.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
They ____________ (to try) every formula, but could not solve the math problem.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
Past Modals Quiz 2
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Answer the following questions using might have/ought to have.
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Question 1 of 5
1. Question
They ____________ (to receive) the invitation in the mail, but it got lost.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 2 of 5
2. Question
She ____________ (to call) to let us know she’d be late, but she didn’t.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 3 of 5
3. Question
He ____________ (to lose) his phone at the restaurant; I can’t reach him.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
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Question 4 of 5
4. Question
You ____________ (to see) the sign; it was right in front of you.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time.
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Question 5 of 5
5. Question
We ____________ (to check) the weather forecast before going hiking.
Correct
Well done!
Incorrect
Not quite, better luck next time!
Well, that’s all we have for the past modals today, folks! You ought to have had a wonderful time figuring these out, because it was so much fun for us to make this activity!