This document discusses past modal verbs used to talk about actions or events that did not actually happen in the past. It provides examples of "should have", "shouldn't have", "could have", and "would have" followed by their meanings. "Should have" and "shouldn't have" express regret about actions that did or did not occur. "Could have" and "would have" refer to possibilities that were not realized. The document concludes with prompts for roleplaying scenarios using these past modal verbs.

1. Past Modals
Function and Form

2. Should have/shouldn’t have
• You should have checked Seesaw before coming to class.
• You shouldn’t have gone to sleep so late.
• James should have washed the dishes.
• We should have checked the price of the meal.
• He should have read the instructions carefully.
Should/shouldn’t Past participle of verb
Object of sentences /
new clause
Subject of sentence

3. Could have/would have
• You could have finished your homework.
• You would have learnt how to fish.
• We could have done that ourselves.
• He would have been the perfect candidate for the job.
could/would Past participle of verb
Object of sentences /
new clause
Subject of sentence

4. Purpose
• Should have – expresses regret or criticism that an action or event did NOT
take place.
• Shouldn’t have – expresses regret or criticism that an action or event DID
take place.
• Could have – used to talk about something that might have been possible,
but didn’t happen.
• Would have – used to talk about something that was likely to happen if
something else happened, but neither happened.

5. Role-play
• Your partner decided not to go to summer camp with you and ended up
being bored.
• Your partner broke the rules of summer camp and now has to wash the
plates of everyone in their cabin.
• Your partner had wanted to take the archery lessons at summer camp but
something happened so they didn’t.
• Make up your own scenario…
Could have
Would have
Should have
Shouldn’t have