Let's practice using modals about the past,
but this time with 'perfect' modals.
This doesn't mean that these modals score 100%
on tests (ha ha) - it means their form looks like 'present perfect':
they use "have" [never "has"!] and the past
participle of the verb, just like a regular present perfect verb tense.
can't have done (no positive form)
could have done | couldn't have
done
had to have done (not common; no
negative form)
may have done | may not have done
might have done | might not have
done
must have done | must not have
done
ought to have done | ought not to
have done
should have done | shouldn't have
done
would have done | wouldn't have
done (used in "if" sentences)
would rather have done | would
rather not have done
Other past modals are 'simple' past, like "had
to..." - see the MODALS II quiz for
those...
Detective, my son __ (not / steal) that car last Sunday afternoon. He was getting married at that time in front of 200 guests!
couldn't have stolen
shouldn't have stolen
may not have stolen
That smart girl studied a lot, so she __ (do) well on the test, but she didn’t.
may have done
should have done
must have done
—Who broke the big vase in the back office? —It __ (be) Brian – he’s very clumsy.
should have been
ought to have been
might have been
A giant asteroid hit the Earth in the Gulf of Mexico 65 million years ago. Scientists have reached a conclusion they’re pretty confident about: that __ (cause) the extinction of the big dinosaurs.
may have caused
should have caused
must have caused
I’m not sure where the boss went this morning. He __ (go) to our other branch office in Glendale.
may have gone
should have gone
would have gone
The big grammar test is today. I’m in trouble – I __ (study) last night, but I didn't!
should have studied
should of studied
may have studied
Taylor Swift’s latest boyfriend just left her for a younger girl who isn’t even famous. She __ (not / be) happy when she found out! (She'll probably write a song about it.)
shouldn't have been
can't have been
would rather have been
—I didn’t know who to ask for help in choosing an American college. —Oh, you __ (talk) to Karen – she’s our school’s university adviser.
must have talked
had to have talked
could have talked
Uh-oh, you broke Dad’s favorite pool cue. You __ (not / do) that – you’re going to be in big trouble.
may not have done
must not have done
shouldn't have done
—Wow, Sally has never missed a day of work before. —Well, she was coughing yesterday, and she didn’t look good. She __ (get) sick.
should have gotten
must have gotten
ought to have gotten
I was at the DMV office yesterday. I __ (renew) my driver’s license.
may have renewed
had to renew
must have renewed
My wife made me go shopping with her last Saturday, but I (rather / go) fishing instead.