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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #130318: Past modals with deduction





    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Modals [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Modal: may/might - Placement test 1 - Modal can (video) - Which modal and when? - Modal verb : must / have to - Modal : can/could - Must / Have to - Modal verbs
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Past modals with deduction


     

    You can use past modals to express your degree of certainty about a past event.

    The following examples show how should, can, must, may, etc. are used in the past:

    1. I am not sure that my phone was stolen. I might just have forgotten it somewhere.
    2. Why does his hairstyle look so ugly? He must have cut his hair by himself with ordinary scissors.
    3. Your wife was killed in an accident the day after your marriage? That must have been a shock for you.



    • must have

    When we are sure about a past event, or make a strong deduction based on evidence. We use "must have" to express a strong probability based on logical evidence.

    Example:

    Where is my EC-card? I must have forgotten it in the ATM.

    Another example: It's raining. It must have rained all night. (The rain is the evidence that it probably rained).

    • may/might have

    When we consider it possible that something happened in the past. We use "may/might have" to express a possibility. "Might" is often used when the possibility is weaker than "may".

    Example:

    The judge is not sure that Brian is the murderer. The accusing witness might have lied.

    Another example: I heard a noise. There may/might have been someone downstairs.

    • can't/couldn't have

    When we consider it impossible that something happened in the past. We use "can't have" to express a logical impossibility based on facts. "Couldn't have" can also express impossibility, but it is sometimes used to express a past ability that was not realized.

    Example:

    Brian can't have gone to the expensive but very good hairdresser I recommended to him, because his hairstyle is still ugly.

     



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    English exercise "Past modals with deduction" created by flori10 with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from flori10]
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    1. It is so terribly cold inside this room. You forgotten to turn on the heater.

    2. I thought I was your favourite student, you made an exception for me!

    3. Since you always daydreamed during our lessons, you passed your exam.

    4. I asked for a spoon for my soup if I hadn't been too shy.

    5. If you had paid more attention, you enjoyed the film.

    6. The goalkeeper lost focus during the game. Now his team lost the match because of his mistake.

    7. You lost something since you are looking around here like a detective in every corner.

    8. It been the sunniest day but the Johnsons still had a barbecue in the garden.

    9. Having enough money, I bought an expensive car, but I opted for a second-hand car all the same.

    10. Anton learned more seriously for his tests. Now he has failed them all.










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