

Modals - deduction about the past
Presentation
•
English
•
6th - 9th Grade
•
Medium
Linh Tran
Used 45+ times
FREE Resource
7 Slides • 17 Questions
1
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2
An earthquake? That must have been terrifying!
We don't know for sure that Alex broke the coffee table. It might have been the dog.
3
A: "I heard that Suzy got caught shoplifting yesterday afternoon"
B: "She can't have done it. She and I were at the movies all afternoon"
=> more emphatic, like a statement of fact
A: "I heard that Suzy got caught shoplifting yesterday afternoon"
B: "She couldn't have done it. She's not that type of girl"
=> you want to believe that she didn't do it
4
We use this when we feel sure about what happened.
E.g. The thief must have had a key. The door was locked and nothing was broken.
5
We use this when we think it's possible that something happened.
E.g. I think I might have left the air conditioning on. Please can you check?
6
We use this when we think it's not possible that something happened.
E.g. She can't have driven there. Her car keys are still here.
7
🔥 could have + V-past participle
=> you could do something but you didn't do it.
E.g. They could have won the race, but they didn't try hard enough.
🔥 should have + V-past participle
=> you should do something but you didn't do it.
E.g. John should have left early, then he wouldn't have missed the plane.
8
Multiple Choice
I _____ left my wallet in the restaurant. I paid for the taxi home afterwards.
must have
could have
can't have
9
Multiple Choice
Why were there no buses yesterday? Maybe it was the snow or they _____ been on strike.
must have
might have
couldn't have
10
Multiple Choice
You _____ seen her, surely! She was standing right in front of you.
must have
might have
can't have
11
Multiple Choice
Let's ask at reception to see if they have your keys. Someone _____ found them.
must have
might have
can't have
12
Multiple Choice
He _____ gone to Russia. He didn't have a passport.
must have
might have
couldn't have
13
Multiple Choice
I explained the homework but she did the wrong page. She _____ misunderstood me.
must have
may have
can't have
14
Multiple Choice
Oh no! My phone's not in my bag. I _____ left it at home.
must have
can have
couldn't have
15
Multiple Choice
It is still a mystery how the robber gained access to the bank. Police are investigating whether the suspect _____ known one of the employees.
must have
may have
couldn't have
16
Multiple Choice
Where's Clare? Her bag's here and her computer's still on so she _____ gone home.
must have
might have
can't have
17
Multiple Choice
I can't remember my password! But I _____ written it in my notebook as sometimes I do that.
must have
may have
couldn't have
18
Multiple Choice
He wasn't answering the phone before. Maybe he went to the shop or he _____ been in the shower.
must have
might have
couldn't have
19
Multiple Choice
Sorry, I don't know if she's here or not. She was feeling ill so she _____ gone home.
must have
might have
can't have
20
Multiple Choice
She _____ cleaned the whole house on her own in two hours. She must have had some help.
must have
might have
can't help
21
Multiple Choice
Wow! Have you finished all that already? You _____ been hungry!
must have
may have
can't have
22
Multiple Choice
He _____ known about it when I saw him. I'm sure he would have told me.
must have
might have
couldn't have
23
Multiple Choice
Oh, great! His car's here. He _____ come home earlier than planned.
must have
might have
can have
24
Poll
Are you confident with modal verbs?
I'm good
I still need more practice
​
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