This document provides a lesson on using modal verbs like "should have", "ought to have", and "could have" to talk about past actions or states that did not occur. It gives examples of how to use these modal verbs of advisability in statements, questions, contractions, and negative statements. It also discusses pronunciation patterns in informal speech. The document concludes with practice exercises for the student to identify what someone should or could have done in various past situations.

1. 7 Advisability in the
Past
Home Alone
Focus on Grammar 4
Part VII, Unit 16
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Home Alone 1
Whenand Amy have been married
Joe .AmyAmy Amy’sthe house was
Last.so returned, back to her
. month, went mother had
hometownato takeyear. of her.
lessoperation. . .
an than a care
mess!

3. Home Alone 2
You could have paid the phone bill.
You ought to have fed the cat!
You might have taken out the trash.
What’s so hard about that?
You shouldn’t have gone away.
You could have stayed at home.
You should have taken care of me,
not left me on my own.

4. Home Alone 3
You should have done the laundry.
You might have washed the car!
At least you could have mowed the lawn.
SPOILED! Is what you are!
You’ve made it very clear.
I really need a maid.
Go back to your mother’s, dear.
That’s where you should have stayed.

5. Modals of Advisability
Use modals to talk about actions and states that
were advisable in the past, but did not happen.
should have
ought to have past
could have + participle
might have
You should have done the laundry.

6. Contractions
Use contractions in informal writing and
speaking.
Joe could have mowed the lawn.
Joe could’ve
He might have washed the car.
He might’ve
You should not have gone away.
You shouldn’t

7. Negative Statements
Use should not have and ought not to
have for negative statements.
You shouldn’t have gone away.
Amy ought not to have left.

8. Read the police report about a
Practice 1 robbery. Discuss what this family
should or shouldn’t have done.
Robbery at 1301 Maple Street, June 7, 2005.
Estimated loss: Substantial.
No forced entry. No alarm. Door opened with key found
under welcome mat. Neighbors report empty garbage cans at
curb for several days. Lawn overgrown. Newspapers piled up
on front steps. Curtains open and electronic equipment
visible from street. Car unlocked.
Example: They shouldn’t have put a key
under the mat. That’s the obvious place to look.

9. Questions
Should have is the most common form used
in questions.
Should Amy Should Joe
have stayed have done
at home? the laundry?

10. Short Answers
Use the modal and have to make short
answers.
Should Amy Should Joe
Yes, she
have stayed
No, he have done
should
at home?
shouldn’t the have.
laundry?
have.

11. Pronunciation 1
In informal speech, have in modal phrases is
often pronounced like the word of.
Joe might of taken out the trash.
Joe might have taken out the trash.
Do not write of instead of have.

12. Pronunciation 2
In informal speech, to in ought to is
pronounced like the word a.
Joe ought to have fed the cat.
He ought to have trimmed the
hedge.

13. Here are some problems you
Practice 2 faced yesterday morning. What
should you have done?
Example: You overslept and were late to work.
1. According to the scale, you gained five pounds.
2. You had no clean socks.
3. There was no hot water.
I ought to have set the alarm.
I4. You couldn’tgone to car keys.
might have find the bed earlier.
I5. You forgot to feed the dog.
shouldn’t have gone to that party!

14. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and
its licensors. All rights reserved.