Past modals of probability

Past modals of probability

 We use must have + past participle when you are almost 100 percent sure
that something is the case.

Damn! Where’s my motorcycle? Someone must have stolen it!

Jeff doesn’t answer me. He must have turned off his phone.

Anna is smiling. She must have done well on the test.

 We use can’t/couldn’t have + past participle to say that it's impossible that
something has happened.

Fernando couldn’t have gone to the shopping center. It’s closed on Sundays.

They can't have worked until late because they were on time for the meeting.

Miranda couldn't have believed that story. She knows Javier's a liar!

 We use might/may have + past participle to say that it’s possible that
something was true or happened in the past.

Lisa didn’t reply to your message. She may not have seen it yet.

Jack might / may have gone to Japan for her vacation. I think he wanted to
practice Japanese this summer.

 We use could have + past participle to say express a possibility. This form
is not as strong as might or may.

I can’t find my purse. I could have left it in the supermarket, but I just don’t know.

Alice was beat. She could have stayed at home today.

October 9th, 2023.

T. Deya.
 Match the situations on the left with the modals for speculating about the past on the right.

1. Look! Our car isn't in the a. ____ must have done something naughty.
driveway! Somebody…

2. The bus is really late today. It… b. ____ He must have felt gloomy.

3. Where are my tickets? c. ____ must have rained last night.

4. Maggie had a date with her d. ____ She can't have understood what I said.
boyfriend last night, and today
she is wearing an engagement
ring. Her boyfriend…

5. The twins have guilty expressions e. ____ I must have let them on the bus!
on their faces. They…

6. Did Marvin's cat pass away? f. ____ might have forgotten my number.

7. The ground is very wet this g. ____ They could have been on strike but I'm
morning. It… not sure.

8. Yesterday, Clara wasn’t at home. h. ____ must have asked her to marry him.

9. I don't know why there weren't i. ____ might have broken down.
any buses yesterday.

10. Christie did the opposite of what l. ____ Someone must have broken in.
I asked her to do.

11. I don't know why Fernando m. ____ She couldn’t have answered the phone.
hasn't called me back. He…

12. When I got home last evening, I n. ____ must have stolen it.
found my door smashed.
 Underline the correct modal to complete the sentence.

a. My friend promised to pick me up at 7:00. It's now 7:25 and I don't see him. She may have
forgotten. / must have forgotten.

b. Jerry couldn’t have been / may not have been in a car accident yesterday. He was home
all day.
 c. Grandpa moved the piano by himself. He's okay, but he could have injured / must have
injured his back.

d. You might have been / couldn't have been ill yesterday. Jessie saw you at the bowling
alley.

e. My parents haven't arrived at the party yet. They don't know this city very well. They
can’t have gotten / must have gotten lost.

f. Nancy did very well on her history test. She might have studied / must have studied
hard.

g. Your car is filthy! You mustn’t have washed / can’t have washed it for a very long time.

h. It's too bad you didn't practice for the marathon. You could have won / must have won.

i. How did Linda catch a cold? I'm not sure. She may have gone out / must have gone out in
the rain.

j. Where is Samuel? He must have gone / can’t have gone out. His car is still here.

k. The window was broken, so the thieves might have gotten / must have gotten in through
that window.

l. Melissa's wearing a diamond ring. Luis might have asked / must have asked her to marry
him.

m. I was so upset; I could have hit / must have hit him. But I'm glad I didn't.

n. Claire looks so exhausted. She might not have had / couldn’t have had enough time to
sleep.

Name: _______________________ Level: 6 Date: _____________________

Teacher: Dejanira Molina