Past Modals

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:

1. Must have: This expresses a strong deduction or certainty about something that happened in the past.

• • 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.

• • • 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.)

3. Could have: This indicates a possibility or ability in the past, even if the action did not actually happen.

• • • • 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.)

4. Might have: This suggests a possibility or a small degree of probability in the past.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. She might have left already. (There is a chance that she has already left.)
            2. They might have finished the project by now. (It’s possible they have completed it.)

5. Ought to have: This expresses an expectation or obligation that was present in the past.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. You ought to have finished your homework by now. (There was an expectation that you would finish it.)
               2. He ought to have apologized for his behavior. (He had an obligation to apologize.)

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.

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!