This document provides examples and explanations of different modal verbs used to express speculation in the past, including must, may, might, could, shouldn't, should, and have. It discusses how these modal verbs are used to talk about different levels of certainty or possibility about past events, such as something being 100% sure, 50% sure, or just a possibility. Examples are given to illustrate the use of each modal verb in different contexts related to speculation about the past.

1. SPECULATIONS IN
THE PAST

2. FIRST, LET’S TAKE A LOOK OF THE MODALS

3. MUST
MAY
MIGHT
COULD
CAN’T
COULDN’T SHOULD
Cond 3
50/50
100%

4. LET’S TAKE A LOOK OF THESE EXAMPLES!
The lights are off.
They must have gone out.
I never see Juan and Kathe
together anymore.
They must have broken up.

5. LET’S TAKE A LOOK OF THESE EXAMPLES!
I think they may have won, but
we didn’t try so hard.
I don’t know, it might have
been different if you were
there.
HAVE

6. LET’S TAKE A LOOK OF THESE EXAMPLES!
HAVE

7. LET’S TAKE A LOOK OF THESE EXAMPLES!
HAVE
When you write to your girlfriend to say
something really bad and then she stars
writing and writing and writing on
WhatsApp

8. Situation 1: You’ve got
stomach ache.
Situation 2: he got pulled
over by the police.

9. 1. David _________ _________ __________ earlier.
2. You _________ _________ ___________ a good lawyer.
3. It __________ __________ _________ that long to complete. (negative)
4. We _________ _________ __________ something.
5. They ________ _________ __________ a little more to eat.
6. The bus driver _________ __________ _________ us off at that other stop.
7. She _________ __________ __________ about her appointment.
8. You _________ _________ _________ that. (negative)
9. I _________ _________ _________ you a ride if you had asked.
10. __________ they _________ __________ their assignment by now? (negative)
LET’S LISTEN AND COMPLETE THE STATEMETS

10. You went to Moscow in
February? It … have been
cold!
A must
B could
C can
We … have stayed home.
That movie was terrible!
A will
B must
C should
It … not have been the
best cake you ever made,
but it was still pretty
good.
A should
B may
C can
It was bad, but it … have
been worse!
A could
B will
C must
What a bad day! You not
have … gone out.
A must
B could
C may
The dog just got out, it …
have gone far.
A must
B wouldn't
C can't
You went to China? That
… have been exciting!
A may
B must
C should
You … have brought a
jacket. It´s so cold
tonight!
A should
B may
C will
If he had been in the
competition he … have
been the winner.
A will
B might
C should
100
%
SUR
E
REGRET
50%
SUR
E
50%
SUR
E
ADVICE
0%
POSSSIBL
E
100%
SURE
ADVICE
50%
POSSIBLE