Modal Perfect verbs

Inglés Profesional

1
Modal Auxiliary Verbs

 Modal auxiliary verbs are used with a main verb to show, mood and ideas
such as ability, possibility and permission. The main Modal auxiliary verbs
are listed:

can will must shall may

could would ought to should might

 In general the Spanish translation is kind of tricky, because the

differences among them are very subtle
 Could + have
1) To express abilities in the
past:
 Jason could do 50 push-ups in five
minutes when he was young.
 Jason could’ve talked when he had to.
2) To express permission:
 Could you lend me two grants?
3) To express future possibility: it
expresses more uncertainty than
may
 I could get an A or B in grammar. It depends on the
final exam.
4) Could with present perfect tense is
used to express the possibility of
something happening in the past.
 You could have been killed in that accident.
 I could have won that game.
Would + have
1) As the past tense of will:
 She’d said she would’ve bought dinner
on her way home.
 I believed it would rain so I brought my
raincoat.
2) to express polite request:
 Would you please take off your coat?
 Would you mind turning the radio off?
3) to express actions take
place in the past:
 I would’ve gone fishing and swimming
in the river if I’d lived in the jungle.
4) to express desire
 I would’ve had one day off.
 I’d love to stay for a few more days.
 Should + have
1) To give advice and opinions
 You’d driven too fast; you
should’ve slowed down a little bit.
 You’d gained a lot of weight. You
should’ve gone on a diet.
2) To express expectations:
 Are you ready? The taxi should
be here soon.
 Twenty dollars had been enough.
It shouldn’t have cost more than
that.
3) To suggest a less strong possibility
 If you had passed the bakery,
should you have made some
bread?
4) Should with present perfect tense
means something in the past should
not be done.
 The baby is crying. You shouldn’t
have talked so loudly.
 Mom is angry. You shouldn’t have
come back so late.
Must + Have to

1) To express something is necessary and 3) Not have to is used to express

essential
something that is not to be done
 You must’ve paid by cash. necessarily.
 You have to drive on the right in
France.
 We don’t have to get up
early on Saturday.
 Students must’ve worn uniform then.
2) Must not is used to express something is
 She doesn’t have to live in
not permitted or allowed. the hotel. She can live with
 You mustn’t have smoked, eaten and us.
drunk in the museum.
 You must not have drunk and driven.
May + have

May is used to 3) To express wish or hope.

1) To express possibility in the  May you a long life!
present or in the future.
 It may rain.
 Elizabeth may know his
telephone number.
2) For permission:
 May I come in?
 You may come if you want.
Might + have
1) To express possibility in the present or in the future.
 Ashley might be in the library. I am not sure.
 George might come as well.
 He may come.
 He might come. (the chance that he comes is less likely than may)

2) Might with present perfect tense means speculation about the past.
 Edward is late. He might’ve missed his bus or he might’ve overslept.
 We hadn’t heard of him for a long time, he might’ve gone abroad
 Differences between the modal verbs

1) To express future possibility: 3) To express request are: can,

may, might, could and can. could, will and would.
2) Could and might express more However, could and would are
uncertainty than may. more polite.
 I may take a vacation in Bali Island.
 Could you give me a raise? Yes, I can.
 You could be right. I am not sure.
 Can you close the window? Sure I can.
 There are only few jobs available, so she
might not find one.
Difference between the modal verbs
3) Be sure to use “can” and “will”
for an affirmative short answer
even if the question starts with
would and could.
4) had better is stronger than
should, ought to,
 could and might are used when there are
more than one choice.
4) The modals used to express
permission are: can, could and may.
May is used in formal situation.
 Where may I park my car? You can park right
in front of the store.
 Could I borrow your blue-ray? Yes, you may.
 You may not park in the handicapped parking
space.
 Difference between the modal verbs
5) The modals used to give
advice are: could, might,
should, must, have to, had
better, and ought to.
 You could meet me tonight or
tomorrow morning.
 You had better tell us the truth.
 Your son ought to see a doctor.
 You should not wear sandals and
shorts to work.
6) The modals used to express
preference are: prefer, would
prefer, would rather and would
like.
 I would prefer to have Japanese food for
dinner.
 I would prefer to spend the night at home
rather than drive out.
 I would rather go by bus.
 I would rather go out than stay home tonight.
 I would like to have some tea.
Self assessment
Make the correct modal perfect form (use could have / would
have / should have + past participle)
1) I _______________________ (buy) bread but I didn't know we
needed it. (past possibility)
2) We _______________________ (invite) so many people to our
party! I'm worried that we won't have enough room for everyone.
(past negative advice / regret)
3) I _______________________ (start) saving money years ago! (past
advice / regret)
4) We _______________________ (join) you at the restaurant, but
we couldn't get a babysitter. (past willingness)
5) The weather _______________________ (be) any worse! (past
negative possibility)
Make the correct modal perfect form
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)

6) I  _______________________ (arrive) on time, even if I'd left earlier.

There were dreadful traffic jams all the way. (past negative possibility)
7) They _______________________ (win) the football match, but John
hurt his ankle. (past possibility)
8) Amanda _______________________ (finish) the work, but she felt ill
and had to go home. (past willingness)
9) Lucy _______________________ (leave) earlier. She missed her flight.
(past advice / regret)
10) We _______________________ (finish) the game, even if we'd wanted
to. It was raining very hard and we had to stop. (past negative
possibility)
Make the correct modal perfect form
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)

11) _______________________ (eat) so much chocolate! I feel sick!

(past negative advice / regret)
12) Luke _______________________ (pass) the exam if he'd studied
a bit more. (past possibility)
13) John _______________________ (call) Amy, but he didn't have
her number. (past willingness)
14) You _______________________ (be) rude to him. He's going to
be really angry now. (past negative advice / regret)
15) She _______________________ (come) to the restaurant if
she'd left work earlier. (past possibility)
Make the correct modal perfect form
(could have / would have / should have + past participle)

16) You (take) this job. I can see you're not enjoying it. (past
negative advice / regret)
17) The race was really difficult. She (win) because she's not fit
enough. (past negative possibility)
18) Our neighbours (cut) down the tree in their garden. It was a
really beautiful tree. (past negative advice / regret)
19) The children (do) their homework last night. Then they
wouldn't be panicking on the way to school. (past advice /
regret)
20) I'm really cold! I (bring) my coat. (past advice / regret)
Additional information
Just as information to enhance your language mastering
 Can
1) to express ability:
 Ryan can speak French but he
cannot speak German.
 Superman can do things that
ordinary people can’t.
2) to express request:
 Can you help Sue?
 Can I offer you something to
drink?
3) To express permission:
 Can I use your cell phone?
 You can’t go out with Victor.
4) to express possibility:
 If the weather is perfect
tomorrow, we can go on a
picnic.
 I can be ready by five.
 I will be ready five.
Can is used to express a statement
that is less uncertain than will.
 Shall

Shall is used to express the simple future for the first person.

 Shall we meet at the bus stop?

I shall never forget your help.
 Shall is not used with the auxiliary have
 Will
1) Present to future tense:
 Sean will leave tomorrow. She will be back in a few days.
 If it rains, the soccer game will be put off.

2) Express willing,
 If you won’t go and help him, I will.
 I will wash the dishes if you cook.
Answer key

1) could have bought 11) shouldn't have eaten

2) shouldn't have invited 12) could have passed
3) should have started 13) would have called
4) would have joined 14) shouldn't have been
5) couldn't have been 15) could have come
6) couldn't have arrived 16) shouldn't have taken
7) could have won 17) couldn't have won
8) would have finished 18) shouldn't have cut
9) should have left 19) should have done
10) couldn't have finished 20) [ should have brought