MODAL PERFECTS
 MODAL
VERB + HAVE +
PAST PARTICIPLE
 To
talk about past events
MODAL PERFECTS
CAN’T HAVE + P P  to express an
impossibility in the past
I can’t have made a good impression because
he hasn’t phoned.
 COULD HAVE + P P  to suggest an
alternative past action, even though it is
now too late
We could have invited her to the party, but we
all forgot.

MODAL PERFECTS
COULD / MAY / MIGHT HAVE + P P 
to talk about something that was possible
in the past
They might / may / could have broken up.
 MUST HAVE + P P  to express a
certainty or to make a logical deduction
about the past
He must have felt terrible when he saw how
upset she was.

MODAL PERFECTS
SHOULD HAVE + P P  to give an
opinion about past events, even though it
is now too late
I was worried – he should have called me.
 SHOULDN’T HAVE + P P  to express
regret or criticism about past events
You shouldn’t have lied to me!!!

Choose the correct answer.
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I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.
Choose the correct answer.






I’m angry because Peggy took my bike without asking.
She should have / might have asked me.
We’ve got a car, but we decided to walk. We must
have / could have driven.
John is late. I don’t know what happened to him. He
may have / would have missed his bus.
Sara didn’t wish me a happy birthday. She must have
/ should have forgotten my birthday.
Why didn’t you ask me? I should have / would
have helped you.
Now, John is angry with me. I shouldn’t have /
might not have told everyone his secret.