Perfect could have...

Modals

may have...

must have... might have...

CREATED BY : AJIT SINGH

ENGLISH TRAINER
May have . . .
Part 1
Might have . . .

Could have . . .

*used to give possible explanations for past

events
examples:
Why didn’t John come out to
lunch with us yesterday?
I’m not sure.

He might have had too much work

to do.

He may have been busy at work.

He could have gone to a meeting.

Why was Tomas late to class
on Monday?
I’m not sure.

He might have woken up late.

He may have missed the bus.

He could have forgotten to set

his alarm clock.
What do you think your husband
got you for your anniversary?
I don’t know.

He might have gotten me some

jewelry.

He may have bought me a new kitchen

appliance.

He could have picked out some

perfume for me.
I wonder why Susan seemed so
sad yesterday.
I’m not sure.

She might have received some

bad news.
She might have felt sick.
She may have broken up with
her boyfriend.
I wonder why the teacher wasn’t in
class on Friday.
He may have been sick.
•

He might have gone

•

rock climbing.

He might have decided

•

to take a relaxing day

off.

these are all possible explanations

 Part 2
Must have . . .

*stronger than
-may have
-might have
-could have
examples:
 Meaning / Use:
Must have = similar to the use of
may/might/could have…

Must have shows more certainty than

may/might/could have…

Use must have + past participle to

show a strong probability
 Comparison:
may/might/could have… versus must have…
John wasn’t in class today. I wonder why . . .

He could have He must have

been sick. been sick.

OR OR

He may not have He must not have

felt well. felt well.
*here, we are more certain!
 Jan looks really tired today. It’s
strange to see her this way because
she is usually very energetic.

She must not have gotten

very much sleep last night.

*this is what we think PROBABLY happe

Did you see how well Sam played during
the soccer game? I was really surprised
that he scored 4 goals because he usually
doesn’t play that well.

He must have practiced a lot before the

game.

OR

He must have been practicing a lot recently.

(progressive form)
 Structure:
How to make this grammar
May
Might
past
Could + HAVE +
participle
Must HAS
 For the NEGATIVE:

May
Might
past
Could + NOT HAVE +
participle
Must
Negative Examples:

Richard’s wife bought a new

table 2 weeks ago, but Richard
still hasn’t assembled it.
I wonder why?

He must NOT have understood

the instructions.
 Pronunciation Tips:
When you hear native speakers use this grammar, it often
sounds like they are saying:

“might-uv” or “might-a”

“may-uv” or “may-a”

“could-uv” or “could-a”

“must-uv” or “must-a”
She might have left already.

They could have misunderstood the instructions.

Susan might have quit her job.

She must have gone home early today.

Cynthia might have tried to call me when I out

walking my dog.
 Now it’s YOUR turn!

What do you think? What are some

possible reasons why these things
happened? Write them on a piece of
paper and show your writing to your
teacher.
1. I wonder why Janet didn’t come
to school today?

2. I wonder why Lisa and her

husband decided to move to
Temecula.

3. I wonder what my mother got

me for my birthday.