past modals

I must have left my phone at Anna's. I definitely remember having it there.
You must have seen something. You were there when the accident happened.
Somebody might have stolen your wallet when you were getting off the train.
I wonder why she's not here. I suppose she could have forgotten about the meeting.
He still hasn't arrived. I may not have given him the right directions.
She can't have gone to work. Her car's still there.
You couldn't have seen their faces very clearly. It was too dark.
We've gone the wrong way. We should have turned left at the traffic lights.
It's my fault. I ought to have told you earlier that my party was on Saturday.

must / may, might, could / can't, couldn't + past participle

must have

We use must have when we are almost sure that something happened or was true.

The opposite of must have is can't have NOT mustn't have.

might / may / could + have

text here

can't have / couldn't have

We use can't have and couldn't have when we are almost sure something didn't happen or that it is impossible.

We only use couldn't have when the speculation is about the distant past, e.g.

They couldn't have been married. They both died young.

should have / ought to have

Exercise a

I'm certain I left my umbrella at home.

I must have left my umbrella at home.

I'm certain I left my umbrella at home.

I must have left my umbrella at home.

Exercise b

We couldn't understand anybody in Paris.

You should have learned some French before going.

We couldn't understand anybody in Paris.

You should have learned some French before going.

should

test

GU - 6B

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