Modals in the past

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Modals in the past

Just like the previous class:

-Speculation and deduction

-Obligation

-Advice

-Ability

Speculation and deduction

-Almost sure something did happen:

Must have + past participle (3e rijtje)

The thief must have had a key. There were no signs of a break in!

-Almost sure something didn't happen:

Can't have + past participle (3e rijtje)

She can't have driven here. She's only 12!

Speculation and deduction

-Unsure if something happened or not

May (not)/might (not) have + past participle

I think I may have left the oven on. Could you check?

There were lights on all over the house. They ..... (be) home!

1. Are
2. Can't have been
3. Must have been
4. Being

It ...(be) mr. Strieder. He's in Italy this week!

1. Aren't
2. Can't have been
3. Must have been
4. Being't

It ... (be) him! This man was bald too!

1. Might have been
2. Can't have been
3. Mustn't have been
4. May have been

Permission

-To refer to actions that were or weren't permitted

Could/couldn't + infinitive

Dad said we couldn't walk along the road.

You can also use was (not)/were (not) + allowed to + infinitive.

Dad said we weren't allowed to walk along the road.

Was

Were

I

You

You

He

She

It

We

They

Mum told her she .... (sleep) at her friend's.

1. Wasn't to sleep
2. Couldn't sleep
3. Wasn't allowed to
4. Couldn't allowed to

Obligation

-For rules and personal feelings

had to/needed to + infinitive

We had to follow the police officer's instructions.

-Lack of obligation

didn't have to/didn't need to + infinitive

We didn't need to wear a uniform to school.

Obligation

-Actions we didn't have to do

didn't need to + infinitive

We still had fruit so we didn't need to buy more.

-Actions that happened but didn't have to happen

needn't have + past participle (3e rijtje)

I already have chocolate, so we needn't have bought any.

The students understood everything, they .... (not need) any extra tutoring.

1. Didn't need
2. Mustn't need
3. Couldn't need
4. Hadn't need

I ate all the candy I wanted, I ... (not eat) any more.

1. Haven't eaten
2. Have eaten't
3. Needn't have eaten
4. Needn't having eaten

Advice

-To describe mistakes, regrets or give advice about something that already happened

Should have/ought to have + past participle

You really should have studied for that test.

He really misses us, we ought to have visited while we had the chance.

Ability

-For natural or learned abilities

could/couldn't + infinitive

I couldn't ride a bicycle back then.

-You can also use

was/were (un)able to + infinitive

I was unable to ride a bicycle back then.

When I visited I ... (not speak) German yet.

1. Could unable to speak
2. Wasn't able to speaking
3. Couldn't speak
4. Was unable to speak

I ... (play) baseball like a pro by then!

1. Could play
2. Was played
3. Have played
4. Ought have played

Some of you ... (to take) my advice!

1. Should taken
2. Should've taken
3. Ought take
4. Should've taking

Any questions?