CREATED BY : MIGUEL CERVANTES

Part 1
May have . . .
Might have . . .
Could have . . .

*used to give possible explanations

for past events
Why didn’t John come out to
lunch with us yesterday?
I’m not sure.

He might have had too

much work to do.

He may have been busy

at work.

He could have gone to a

meeting.
Why was Tomas late to class
on Monday?
I’m not sure.

He might have woken

up late.

He may have missed

the bus.

He could have
forgotten to set
his alarm clock.
 What do you think your
husband got you for your
anniversary?
I don’t know.
He might have gotten me
some jewelry.

He may have bought me

a new kitchen
appliance.

He could have picked out

some perfume for me.
I wonder why Susan seemed so
sad yesterday.
I’m not sure.

• She might have received

some bad news.
•She might have felt
sick.
•She may have broken up
with her boyfriend.
I wonder why the teacher wasn’t in
class on Friday.
•He may have been sick.

• He might have gone

rock climbing.

•He might have

decided to take a
relaxing day
off.
 Part 2
Must have . . .
*stronger than
-may have
-might have
-could have
 Meaning / Use:
•Must have = similar to the
use of may/might/could have…
•Must have shows more certainty
than may/might/could have…
•Use must have + past participle
to show a strong probability
 Comparison:
may/might/could have… versus must have…

John wasn’t in class today. I wonder why . . .

He could have He must have
been sick. been sick.
OR OR

He may not have He must not have

felt well. felt well.
 Jan looks really tired today. It’s
strange to see her this way because
she is usually very energetic.

She must not have

gotten very much
sleep last night.
Did you see how well Sam played during
the soccer game? I was really surprised
that he scored4 goals because he usually
doesn’t play that well.

He must have practiced a

lot before the game.
OR

He must have been

practicing a lot recently.
(progressive form)
 Structure:
How to make this grammar

May
Might

Could
 For the NEGATIVE:

May
Might

Could

Must
Negative Examples:

Richard’s wife
bought a new table
2 weeks ago, but
Richard still hasn’t
assembled it.
I wonder why?

He must NOT have

understood the
instructions.
 Pronunciation Tips:
When you hear native speakers use
this grammar, it often sounds like
they are saying:

“might-uv” or “might-a”
“may-uv” or “may-a”
“could-uv” or “could-a”
“must-uv” or “must-a”
She might have left already.

They could have misunderstood the

instructions.

Susan might have quit her job.

She must have gone home early

today.

Cynthia might have tried to call me when I

out walking my dog.
 Now it’s YOUR turn!
What do you think? What are some
possible reasons why these things
happened? Write them on a piece of
paper and show your writing to your
teacher.
1. I wonder why Janet didn’t
come to school today?

2. I wonder why Lisa and her

husband decided to move to
Temecula.

3. I wonder what my
mother got me for my
birthday.