PERSPECTIVES II ENTIRE GRAMMAR

UNIT FOUR
2. FOCUS ON GRAMMAR: PAGE: 65
PAST FORMS OF MODALS
(Should, Ought to, Could, Might, May, Must)
INTRODUCTION:
 These past modal verbs are all used hypothetically or imaginary; to talk about things
that didn't really happen in the past. These past modal verbs are useful for
expressing one’s present feelings about a past decision or an action. Each modal
verb expresses or gives different meaning or situation when used in the past.
 Following are the common structures:

1. SHOULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE FORM OF VERB:

 This structure is used to give advice about the past when you say it to someone else.
In other words, this structure expresses regrets that what you did or didn’t do when
you are talking about yourself. It means that something would have been a good
idea, but that you didn’t do. In short, we can say that the above structure expresses
advisability or obligation in the past. The statements with this structure express a
desire or wish that is contrary to reality because the advice or recommendation has
come too late to change the situation.
REMEMBER:
 To form past modals with “Should”. Use should + have + past participle verb.
 Use have for all pronouns or nouns; never use has or had to form a past modal.
Positive or affirmative sentences express negative meaning that something didn’t
occur whereas negative sentences convey positive meaning that something happened
or it means something that it was a good idea, but that you didn't do it. In other
words, negative sentences means that something wasn't a good idea, but you did it
anyway.

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EXAMPLES:
If you arrive late to class, you can say:
 I should have left my house earlier. (I didn’t leave my house earlier.)
If you regret an argument, you can say:
 I shouldn’t have yelled at you yesterday. I’m sorry. (I shouted at you yesterday.)
If one’s son fails a test, he or she can say:
 You should have studied. You shouldn’t have played video games all weekend.
(You didn’t study.)
MORE EXAMPLES:
 You should have called me when you arrived.
(You didn't call me and I was worried. I wish that you had called me).
 Arif should have left early and then he wouldn't have missed the plane.
(But he didn't leave early and so he did miss the plane.)
 I should have studied harder. (I didn't study very hard, so I failed the exam.)
 I should have gone to bed early. (I didn't go to bed early and now I'm tired).
 You should have called me yesterday. (But you didn’t call me.)
 They should have abolished this tax years ago. (But they didn’t.)
 He should have told the truth about what he saw. (But he didn’t tell the truth.)

2. SHOULDN’T + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE FORM OF VERB:
 This structure is used to mean that something wasn't a good idea, but you did it
anyway. In other words,
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https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/modal-verb-have-past-participle

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https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/could-have-should-have-would-have.html

https://www.espressoenglish.net/past-modals-should-have-could-have-would-have/