Share Modal verbs in the past
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Why is Sandy crying? ‘Something horrible ………………………………’ (must / happen)
must have happened
‘Has Pete done his homework?’ ‘He …… already. He’s only just started.’ (can’t / finish)
can't have finished
‘Have you seen my laptop?’ ‘Your brother …… it.’ (may / borrow)
may have borrowed
‘Where do you think Peter is?’ ‘He ………… out with his friends.’ (could / go)
could have gone
‘Why are there so many police cars outside?’ ‘There ….....… an accident.’ (might / be)
might have been
‘There’s no food left!’ ‘What??!! We …………… it all!’ (can’t / eat)
can't have eaten
I think something bad …… at school yesterday. (might / happen)
might have happened
You don’t believe Neil won = ‘Neil can’t …………………………….’
have won
It's possible that your mum was right. = ‘Mum could …………………………..’
have been
You’re sure someone didn’t hear you = ‘He can’t …………’
have heard me
you think you lost your mobile? ‘I must ………...’
have lost my mobile
Nobody knows exactly why he died. But we think it .............. an accident.
might/could/may have been
- I am sure Mark didn't commit this crime. - Mark .............................. (HAVE)
Mark can't / couldn't have committed this crime.
-Tom is probably at home. - Tom .................... (BE) at home now.
Tom may / might be at home now.
- I took my umbrella but it was not necessary after all. - I .......................... (HAVE)
I needn't have taken my umbrella.
- It is probable that the students are having fun on a trip. - The students ................. (BE)
The students are likely to /can/ might/ may be having fun on a trip.
