Class 1

Past
Modal Verbs
Social 3

Miss Rosie Flores S.

Video Review 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIDqtVHasQ8
Video Review 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk9nQwoCFig
We use past modals
to speculate
on past events.
May have / Might have = something possibly
happened (but we aren’t sure if it did).

• “They may have left early because of the holiday

traffic.” (= Maybe they left early…)

• “They might have taken the train.” (= Maybe they

took the train.)
Might not have = past possibility.
• “He might not have received the message.”
(= Maybe he didn’t receive the message.)

Could have = something was possible in theory.

• “He could have become a doctor.” (= He had the
ability to become a doctor, but he didn’t.)

Couldn’t have“ = something is impossible.

• “He couldn’t have seen you – it was too dark.”
Can’t have = something was not logically possible.
“She can’t have passed the exam – she didn’t
study at all!”

Must have = we are sure about something.

“You must have known that we had a test today –
the teacher sent us all a message.”
Exercise instructions
Fill in each gap using must have, can’t
have, could have, may have or might
have.

Example Speculating:
Someone was ringing. I’m sure it was my
brother – he promised to call.

Someone was ringing. It must have

been my brother – he promised to
call.
https://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/modal-verbs-for-past-probability-
must-have-cant-have-couldnt-have-may-have
End of
the
Lesson