Modal Verbs of Speculation about the Past

Modal Verbs of Speculation about the Past

In today’s lesson, we’re going to learn about modal verbs of speculation about the past, which surely is not only useful but also challenging for you. Many students find modal verbs confusing, so this is your chance to give it a little practice and learn how to use them. You’ll find uploaded worksheets in pdf with the lesson and exercises you can download, as well as the quiz.

As you probably know, modal verbs are special verbs we use to indicate modality: ability, request, suggestion, order, etc. They always go with another verb, and we never add any endings to them. 

However, when it comes to modal verbs in the past, we use this form:

modal verb + have + past participle

Forms of modal verbs of speculation about the past are may have, could have, might have, must have, and can’t have

Modal Verbs of Speculation about the Past

Things that possibly happened in the past

When we talk about things that we think possibly happened in the past, we use modal verb forms, might have, may have and could have. 

For example, Susan didn’t come to the meeting, so we can speculate about where Susan was:

She’s new in town. She may have got lost.

It’s a nice day. She might have gone to the beach. 

She could have gone shopping, as well.

Things that certainly happened in the past

When we discuss events that certainly occurred in the past, we use modal verbs such as “must” and “can’t.” They have opposite meanings to each other, though. We use must have + past participle to speculate about things we are certain happened or were true in the past. We use can’t have + past participle to speculate about things we are sure were not true or didn’t happen in the past.

A: I’ve heard that John hasn’t passed the test. 

B: He can’t have failed the test because he’s been home ill all week. You must have mistaken him for somebody else.

Modal Verbs of Speculation about the Past

More example sentences:

Since Thomas is not at home, he must have gone to the gym. (He mentioned earlier that he would go to the gym)

Donna was very upset when she came home. They might have rejected her at the job interview. (I assume that’s the reason why she was upset)

I saw your dog a few minutes ago so it can’t have gone far. (Impossible that it’s gone far)

Any person who was awake at 5 this morning could have seen the eclipse. (it is possible)

Have you seen my phone? I might have left it in the kitchen. (I was in the kitchen, so I suppose that’s where I left it)

Download the PDF

Download the PDF exercise

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge

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