Modal verbs

Must / can't / couldn't have - to express probability in the past

for past
Structure: modal + have + past participle
probability
must – gone, couldn't have gone
have been, can't have
We use must have to express that we They must have left early.
must have,
feel sure that something was true. He must have already gone.
He can't have escaped through this
We use can't have / couldn't have to
window. It is too small.
say that we believe something was
She can't have said that.
impossible.
She couldn't have said that.

May / might / could have - to express probability in the past

Structure: modal + have + past participle
may have been, could have gone, might have lost
We use may / could / might have to say
that it was possible that something He may have missed the bus.
happened in the past (but we are not The road might have been blocked.
100% sure).
He may not have left yet.
The negatives are may not have and
The assistant might not have received
might not have.
his message.

Example:
Someone was ringing. I’m sure it was my brother – he promised to call.
Someone was ringing. It must have been mz brother – he promised to call.

1. I am sure he was here. I saw his car in front of the building.

He _________________ been here.

2. A. Where is James? He should already be here, shouldn’t it?

B. Yes, he should but I don’t know why he isn’t here – he __________ missed the bus.

3. I’m not sure if i passed the exam. I don’t feel very sure that I passed.
I _________________ passed the exam.

4. A. Last summer i took four exams and failed them all.

 B. You _____________ been very disappointed.

5. She speaks exellent French. I’m sure she’s lived in Paris for a long time.
She ______________ lived in Paris for a long time.

6. A. Their plane was delayed and they had to wait 36 hours in the airport.
B. They ______________ been very happy with the airline.

7. Someone told me that Mark was in Mexico last week, but I saw him here so he
_________________ been in Mexico

8. A. I saw John yesterday – he looked very pleased with himself. He didn’t say why but
I think he got that job he applied for.
B. He ______________ got that job he applied for.

9. They gave me very little time to do the job. It’s possible I’d have finished If I’d
worked all night, but I’m not sure.
They gave me very little time to do the job. I ______________finished If I’d worked
all night, but I’m not sure.

10. We agreed to meet yesterday, but when I got there I didn't see him. It's possible he was
waiting elsewhere.
We agreed to meet yesterday, but when I got there I didn't see him. He
________________ waiting elsewhere.

Key:

1. Must have
2. May/could/might have
3. May/ might not have
4. Must have
5. Must have
6. Can’t/ couldn’t have
7. Can’t/couldn’t have
8. May/could/might have
9. May/ could/ might have
10.Might/ could/ may have been