BBC LEARNING ENGLISH

Take an English class on past

modals with Sam

Video class available from 24/07/20 https://bit.ly/englishclass_modals_1

Language quiz
Now let’s practise what you learned in the lesson! Try rewriting the
sentences in bold using one of these:

 must have + verb

 can’t / couldn’t have + verb
 may / might [not] have + verb

Here’s an example to help you:

Hulya looks upset. Perhaps she’s had an argument with her boyfriend.
 She may / might have had an argument with her boyfriend.

1. I can’t find my umbrella. Maybe I left it on the train. I’m not sure.
2. Our neighbours have probably moved out. The house is empty and
we haven’t seen them for a long time.
3. Amara and Alex probably didn’t get our invitation. They didn’t
come to our party.
4. This soup is very spicy. You probably put too much chilli in it.
5. Kasem didn’t say hello. Perhaps he didn’t see me.
6. Rishi probably wasn't very ill. He was away from school for only one
day.
7. My parents probably haven’t got lost. They’ve been to my house
before, so they know exactly where it is
8. The house is so cold! We probably left a window open.
9. Perhaps Jae forgot we had an appointment. She didn’t come.

Well done! Now you can check your answers at the bottom of the next
page.

Take an English Class ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2020

bbclearningenglish.com Page 1 of 2
Speaking and writing practice
Now practise writing a dialogue or speaking with a friend! Look at the
sentences below and think of three possible reasons for the situations
using:
 must have + verb
 can’t / couldn’t have + verb
 may / might [not] have + verb

Here’s an example to help you:

You: ‘Ashish looked so tired.’
Your friend: ‘I know! He can’t have slept well.’
‘I know! He must have had a bad night.
‘I know! ‘He might not have been feeling very well’

1. I can't find my hat.

2. Rupa didn’t answer when I called.
3. The floor is wet.
4. Donald wasn’t at the meeting.
5. The door was unlocked when we got home.

Answers to exercise on page 1

1. I may / might have left it on the train.

2. Our neighbours must have moved out.
3. They can’t / couldn’t have got our invitation.
4. You must have put too much chilli in it.
5. He may / might not have seen me.
6. Rishi can’t / couldn’t have been very ill.
7. My parents can’t / couldn’t have got lost.
8. We must have left a window open.
9. Jae may / might have forgotten we had an appointment.

Take an English Class ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2020

bbclearningenglish.com Page 2 of 2