SMART ACADEMIA

MODAL + HAVE +
PAST PARTICPLE
 DEDUCTIONS IN THE PAST
To make deductions in the past, we can use the structure:
modal + have + past participle

 Other uses of "modal + have + past

participle"

We can use “could + have + participle” to express a past possibility that it didn't happen:
We could have visited the museum. (But we didn't)
If I had trained harder, I could have won the race. (I didn't win)
We can use “ought to / should + have + past participle” to express a desired action that
wasn't taken. This structure often implies that the speaker feels regret.
You ought to have taken an umbrella. (But you didn't and now you are wet)
I should have asked her to dance. (But I didn't)