PERFECT PERFECT MODALSMODALS

Perfect Perfect modalsmodals are

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perfect modals...T

rue or false?

What are “perfect What are “perfect modals”?modals”?Could have done

somethingMay/might have done something

Must have done something

Should have done something

Can’t have done something

COULD HAVECOULD HAVE

show we had the ability or the opportunity to do something in the past but we did not do it.

-I could have studied law at university, but I didn’t want to.show a suggestion that was not taken-You could have asked for our help or you could have asked the manager to assign you to a different task. Why didn’t you? show an action that almost happened, but didn’t.Be careful! That car could have knocked you over!!

We use could could have +past participle to:

MAY/ MIGHT HAVEMAY/ MIGHT HAVEWe use may/might have +past participle to:

•express a weak possibility in the past.-I don’t know where I lost my umbrella.

I might have left it on the train. I might have dropped it. Or I might have left it at the shop. I really don’t know.Student 1: “Why didn’t Jon come to school yesterday?”Student 2: “Well, he might have decided to stay at home. Or he might have spent the day playing video games. He might even have slept all day! You know how he is!”

MUST HAVEMUST HAVEWe use must have +past participle to:•show we are almost sure something happened in the past. (past logical conclusions)•A: John was terribly tired yesterday and when I called him last night, he didn’t answer the phone.B: He must have fallen asleep.•A: Some villagers were trapped on the mountain for a week.B: Oh. They must have been very hungry when they came back!

-I failed the test. I should have studied more I guess.-You should have returned the book to the library on time. Now, you have to pay a fine.-You should have let your daughter marry the man she loved. She’s so unhappy now.-You shouldn’t have spoiled your son like this. Now he is out of control.

SHOULD HAVE /SHOULDN’T SHOULD HAVE /SHOULDN’T HAVEHAVEWe use shouldshouldn’t have +past participle to:

•talk about Unfullfilled obligations in the past•talk about regrets

CAN’T HAVECAN’T HAVEWe use can’t have +past participle to:• show that we are almost sure something did not happen in the past/ impossibilities.- She can’t have forgotten to send you an invitation. You are her best friend and, besides, I saw your name on the list.

-You can’t have seen Tom at the mall yesterday. He is in hospital and is very sick.

-A: I saw İsmet İnönü when I was a child.B: You can’t have seen him!! He died long before you were born!

ExercisesFill in the blanks using perfect modals.

1-Because we don’t have a map, we are lost. You .............. And you never ask for directions. You ...............the last time we stopped for gas.

2- A-Turkish athletes won five medals at the 1980 Olympic Games.B_ They ..................!! Turkey did not participate in the 1980 Olympics.

3- Why did you walk all the way to the station? You .... .............. bus.4-Your flat looks great. You ................ a lot money on decoration.

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For more examples and exercises on Perfect Modals please look at

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