This document provides an overview of how to use modal verbs to talk about the past in English. It explains that modal verbs like must, might, could, may and should are used with the past participle in sentences like "She must have forgotten." It also discusses forming the passive with modal verbs, using modal verbs to express past possibility, and other constructions like "could have" to show missed opportunities, "was/were supposed to" for broken rules, and "had to" versus "must have."

2. BRIF OVERVIEW OF MODAL IN PAST
MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
2: Using modal verbs to talk about the past:
must / might / could / may / should + have +
past participle
must have + past participle
might / might not have + past participle
could / couldn't have + past participle
may / may not have + past participle
Should have + past participle

3.  EXAMPLES OF MODAL VERBS
1.She must have forgotten about our
date.
2.She might have worked late.
3.She could have taken the wrong
bus.
4.She may have felt ill.

4. TO FORM THE PASSIVE OF THE PAST
MODAL
.
MODAL +HAVE + BEEN + PAST PARTICIPAL
Might /should/could+ have +been+ past participle
Examples for passive modals
1. Snehal could have been surprised by guest
2. The train could have been delayed.
3. She should have been elected chair of the
committee.

5. PAST POSSIBILITY AND PROBABILITY
USE MAY / MIGHT /COULD + PAST
PARTICIPLE
FOR NEGATIVE POSSIBILITY
MIGHT NOT HAVE + MAY NOT HAVE
DON’T USE COULD NOT HAVE
EXAMPLE :-
1.She could have been killed in the car
crash.
2.He may have spoken to Jenny yesterday.
3.He might have forgotten.
Example of negative: She might have not
worked late.

6. PAST DIRECTION NOT TAKEN
COULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE TO SHOW
SOMETHING DID NOT HAPPEN/ AN EXAGGERATION
OF A RESULT / THAT SOMETHING ALMOST HAPPENED/
TO SHOW MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.
FOR EXAMPLES:
1.I COULD HAVE GONE TO US , BUT I DECIDED TO COME
TO US.
2. I COULD HAVE HELPED YOU.
3. I COULD HAVE DIED
4. WE COULD HAVE JUMPED FOR JOY.
5. YOU COULD HAVE BROKEN MY HEAD

7. BE SUPPOSED TO in the Past
Was / Were supposed to is used for rules
and promises that have been broken or
expectations that have not been met.
FOR EXAMPLES:
1.I was supposed to do my homework
2.You were supposed to fill out your
application

8. MUST HAVE vs. HAD TO
TO SHOW THE NECESSITY IN THE PAST, WE
USE HAD TO + BASE FORM . WE CANNOT USE
MUST IN THE PAST WITH THIS MEANING.
USE MUST HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE WHEN
SHOWS A CONCLUSION OR DEDUCTION.
FOR EXAMPLE:
1. Jack had to travel by train to meet people.
2. Harry must have been surprised when he bought a
house .

9. Continuous Forms of Past Modals
MODALS+ HAVE BEEN + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
FOR EXAMPLE:
1. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING SO FAST
2. I MUST HAVE BEEN TAKING A SHOWER WHEN YOU CALLED
BE ABLE TO
WAS / WERE ABLE TO CAN ALSO BE USED FOR ABILITY
OVER A PAST PERIOD OF TIME.
USE WAS/ WERE ABLE TO FOR SUCCESS IN DOING A SINGLE ACTION . DO
NOT USE COULD FOR A SINGLE ACTION.
FOR EXAMPLE:
1. SHE WAS ABLE TO PLAY CHESS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD .

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