This document provides an overview and examples of using past modals in English to talk hypothetically about the past. It discusses the past modals would have, should have, could have, must have, might have, can't have and provides examples of their use in sentences. The document also includes two exercises for learners to practice choosing and filling in the correct past modal verb based on the context.

1. Touchstone 4 EL 701
Seminar 8 Past modals

2. Past modals: You can use these past modals to
talk hypothetically about the past.
would have, should have, could have
She must have gone out.
There is strong evidence.
I might have made a mistake
There is a possibility that I made a mistake.
He can't have been there. It's impossible.
You should have apologised A criticism
You shouldn't have said that. A criticism

3. Exercise 1 Choose the correct item.
1. You ................................ tried to fix the roof yourself. You
might have fallen off and been badly injured.
a. can't have b. must have
c. shouldn't have d. might have
2. Sarah ................................ been so happy when she found out
she was being promoted.
a. can't have b. might have
c. must have d. shouldn't have
3. You ..............................shouted at him. He'll never forgive you.
a. might have b. must have
c. shouldn't have d. can't have

4. 4. Clara was very upset with you yesterday. You.................apologized
for saying she was lazy.
a. should have b. might have
c. must have d. can't have
5. She .......................studied really hard. She passed
all her exams with excellent grades.
a. should have b. must have
c. can't have d. might have
6. I left my bicycle in front of the library and it's
disappeared. Someone .........................stolen it.
a. should have b. must have
c. might have d. can't have

5. 7. I had to wait 45 minutes for a bus yesterday. There
........................... been an accident or maybe a strike.
a. can't have b. should have
c. might have d. must have
8. The concert was fantastic. You really ..................
come.
a. should have b. might have
c. must have d. can't have
9. He ................... known it was your birthday.
Otherwise, I'm sure he would have wished you a
happy day.
a. must have b. might have
c. can't have d. shouldn't have

6. 10. Andrew did no revision for the exam but he's
passed. I think he ................................ cheated.
a. might have b. can't have
c. must have d. shouldn't have
11. He ................................ arrived by now. It's only
a 20 minute journey.
a. shouldn't haveb. must have
c. can't have d. might have
12. He ................................ bought a new car. He
doesn't have any money.
a. can't have b. should have
c. must have d. might have

7. Exercise 2 Fill in each gap using one of the
above modal verbs.
Example:
Someone was ringing. I’m sure it was my brother
– he promised to call.
Someone was ringing. It must have been my
brother – he promised to call.

8. 1. I am sure he was here. I saw his car in front of the
building. He ………………… been here.
Correct answer: must have
2. A: Where is James? He should already be here,
shouldn't he?
B: Yes, he should but I don't know why he isn't here -
he ……………………………… missed the bus.
Correct answer: may/could/might have
3. I'm not sure if I passed the exam. I don't feel very sure
that I passed.
I ………………………… passed the exam.
Correct answer: may/might not have
4. A: Last summer I took four exams and failed them all!
B: You ……………………….. been very disappointed.
Correct answer: must have

9. 5. She speaks excellent French. I'm sure she's lived in Paris for
a long time.
She …………………….. lived in Paris for a long time.
Correct answer: must have
6. A: Their plane was delayed and they had to wait 36 hours in
the airport.
B: They……………………. been very happy with the airline.
Correct answer: can't/couldn't have
7. Someone told me that Mark was in Mexico last week, but I
saw him here so he …………………………been in Mexico.
Correct answer: can't/couldn't have
8. A: I saw John yesterday - he looked very pleased with
himself. He didn't say why but I think he got that job he
applied for.
B: He ……………………………… got that job he applied for.
Correct answer: may/could/might have