Explanations

Had to and must have

Had to is the past form of must and refers to a past obligation. Sorry I'm late, I had to post some letters. The negative form is didn't have to and refers to an absence of obligation. Must have refers to past certainty, (see below) Where *should appears, ought to is also possible. Expectation Should have refers to something which was supposed to happen. The parcel I sent you *should have arrived by now. Criticism of an action You *shouldn't have eaten so much last night. Should have and verbs of thinking The past form knew in the example is an unreal verb form, and the should have form is used according to 'sequence of verb forms'. See Grammar 9. / should have thought you knew. With be and adjectives describing chance It was strange that you should have been staying in the same hotel last year. As a polite expression of thanks on receiving a gift or a favour I've done the washing up for you. - Oh, you really shouldn't have! The intonation should be friendly, as this is not a criticism.

Should have and ought to have

Could have

Could have refers to past possibility or uncertainty. David could have won the race if he had tried, (possibility/ability) It could have been Sue, I suppose, (uncertainty) Couldn't have is also possible for both meanings. Couldn't have can be used with comparative adjectives. We couldn't have been happier in those days. Could have can also express unwillingness. She could have gone to the party with her friends, (but she didn't) We couldn't have left the dog on its own. (so we didn't)

Could

Could refers to past permission or past ability. When I was sixteen I could stay out till 11.00. (I was allowed to) Mary could swim when she was three, (she actually did) Compare: Mary could have swum when she was three, (but she didn't)

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MODALS:

PAST

May have and might have

Might have refers to past possibility which did not happen. You might have drowned! Might have and may have refer to uncertainty. / suppose I may have been rather critical.

Both can be used in the negative to express uncertainty. They might not have received our letter yet. Might have is used to express annoyance at someone's failure to do something. There is strong stress on the words underlined. You might have told me my trousers were split! / might have known + would is an idiom by which the speaker expresses ironically that an action was typical of someone else. / might have known that he would be late. A: It was Jack who broke the vase. B: / might have known!
Must have and can't have

These refer to the speaker's certainty about a past action. Someone must have taken it. (I am sure they did) You can't have lost it. (I am sure you didn't) Both can also be used with surely in exclamations. Surely you can't have eaten all of it! Surely you must have noticed it!

Would not

This expresses an unwillingness in the past. Everyone was angry because Sam wouldn't turn off the television. Would have can refer to events in the past which did not actually happen. / would have accepted this job, but I didn't want to move house.

Would have

Assumptions about the past are also possible with would have. A: Someone called after you left but didn't leave a message. B: That would have been Cathy, probably.
Needn't have and

didn't need to

Needn't have done refers to an unnecessary action which was actually done. You needn't have paid all at once, (you did pay) Didn't need to refers to an unnecessary action which was not done. / didn't need to go to the dentist again, luckily. Adverbs such as well, easily, obviously, really, just are often used to emphasise modal expressions, in both present and past time. You could easily have been killed. I might well decide to come. She obviously must have left. You couldn't really have managed without me. I might just take you up on that.

Adverbs and modals

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ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j)
2

That can't have been/shouldn't have been Nick that you saw. You must have given/might have given me a hand! I caught a later train because I had to see/must have seen a client. I suppose Bill should have lost/might have lost his way. I didn't refuse the cake, as it should have been/would have been rude. I don't know who rang, but it could have been/must have been Jim. It was odd that you should have bought/would have bought the same car. I asked them to leave but they might not/wouldn't go. It's a pity you didn't ask because I can't help/could have helped you. It's your own fault, you can't have/shouldn't have gone to bed so late.

Complete each sentence using one of the phrases from the box.

a) You and your big mouth! It was supposed to be a secret. You told her! b) The plane is late. It landed by now. c) You met my brother. I haven't got one! d) There is only one explanation. You left your keys on the bus. e) You heard me right. I definitely said 204525. f) The meat is a bit burnt. You cooked it for so long. g) I'm sorry. I accept I been a little bit rude. h) You really taken so much trouble over me. i) Was it really necessary? You tell the police, you know, j) Keep your fingers crossed! The traffic warden noticed the car's parking ticket has run out!

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MODALS:

PAST

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.

a) It wouldn't have been right to leave you to do all the work on your own. couldn't all the work on your own. b) Perhaps they didn't notice the tyre was flat. might They the tyre was flat. c) All that trouble I went to wasn't necessary in the end. needn't I all that trouble. d) Apparently someone has borrowed the cassette player. have Someone the cassette player. e) I'm disappointed that you didn't back me up! might You me up! f) Our worrying so much was a waste of time. needn't We so much. g) It's just not possible for the cat to have opened the fridge. possibly The cat the fridge. h) It would have been possible for Helen to take us in her car.
could

Helen i) It's possible that the last person to leave didn't lock the door.
might

us a lift.

The last person the door unlocked. j) School uniform wasn't compulsory at my school. wear We school uniform at my school.

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ADVANCED LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Complete each sentence by writing one word in each space. Contractions (can't) count as one word.

a) I have become a millionaire, but I decided not to. b) You have been here when Helen told the boss not to be so lazy! It was great! c) Peter wasn't here then, so he have broken your vase. d) I have bought that car, but I decided to look at a few others. e) If you felt lonely, you have given me a ring. f) Don't take a risk like that again! We have lost because of you. g) It's been more than a week! You have had some news by now! h) We were glad to help. We have just stood by and done nothing. i) You really have gone to so much trouble! j) I have thought that it was rather difficult.
5 Correct any errors in these sentences. Some sentences are correct.

a) b) c) d) e) f) g)

Surely you mustn't have forgotten already! Even Paul couldn't have foreseen what was coming next .................. Frances might not have understood what you said .................. It was funny that she should have remembered me .................. Harry may have won the match with a bit more effort .................. You must have told me you had already eaten .................. Look, there's 30 in my wallet. I shouldn't have gone to the bank after all.

h) You mustn't have been so unkind! i) I couldn't have managed without you j) I have no idea who it was, but I suppose it would have been Ann
6 Underline the most suitable adverb for each space.

a) Someone obviously/currently/fortunately must have picked it up by mistake. b) He could really/cheerfully/easily have stolen the painting without anyone knowing. c) I may surely/well/dearly have made a mistake. d) You really/clearly/needlessly shouldn't have spent so much on my present. e) Bill rarely/simply/certainly wouldn't listen to anything we said. f) I couldn't just/yet/already have left without saying a word. g) Certainly/Rarely/Surely you can't seriously believe that I am guilty! h) I opened the window, I greatly/surely/simply had to get some fresh air. i) I still/unfortunately'/surely couldn't have come to your party, j) How dangerous! You could still/strongly/well have been injured!

GRAMMAR 12

MODALS: PAST

Complete each space in the text with an appropriate modal verb. Some are negative. Dear Toshie, Thanks for sending back the book I lent you. You (1) it already! You must be the world's fastest reader! Hope you enjoyed it. Well, the big news is, I decided not to go to Italy to take up my job offer. Basically, moving there (2) meant a lot of upheaval and frankly I couldn't face the hassle. Maybe I (3) just gone, and been a bit more adventurous, and for sure, I've got mixed feelings about it, as if part of me wanted to go. Who knows, I (4) met the man of my dreams! But I didn't take the decision lightly. I (5) spent several weeks thinking about nothing else. Anyway, what's done is done. My other news concerns my Dad. You remember I was getting very worried because he'd been having dizzy spells and feeling all light-headed. Well, I (6) worried - he's been diagnosed as suffering from low blood pressure, so he's on medication for that. The doctor said it's possible that his vegetarian diet (7) set it off. It's a pity you weren't here! You (8) been able to help Dad, with your interest in holistic medicine. You (9) him some of your aromatherapy treatments. given read

Anyway, hope to see you again before too long. By the way, guess who's getting married in June? Brenda! I (10) known it would be her! It's typical; that girl has all the luck! Bye! Love from, Sue

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