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9 Modal verbs (2): deduction in the E Modal verbs (3): past forms and related verbs
present and the past 12A 11 p97 120 11 p99
• We often use the modal verbs must, could, might, WOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE
may and can't to make deductions in the present • We use could have + past participle to say something was possible
and the past. in the past, but didn't happen: They could have decided to leave all
• When we believe something is true, we use must. their money to their. children, but they haven't.
• When we think something is possibly true, we use • We use should have+ past participle to criticise people's behaviour
could, might or may. in the past: Some people felt she should have left at least some of
• When we believe something isn't true, we use can't. that to her children.
• We use would have + past participle to imagine something in the
TIP
past that didn't happen: Many people would have reacted differently.
• When we know something is definitely true or is
definitely not true, we don't use a modal verb: I had it TIPS
when I left the cafe because I called Mum. OK, so you • We often use would/could have + past participle as part of a third
didn't leave it in the cafe. conditional: If you'd told me about the meal, I would/could have gone.
(see H@&!MJ;ff>)
DEDUCTIONS IN THE PRESENT
• We also use should have+ past participle with I to talk about regrets:
• To make deductions about a state in the present
we use: modal verb+ infinitive. I should have listened to your advice. (see ld;tifa!fit!1;1:f>)
It might be in the bathroom. NEEDN'T HAVE, DIDN'T NEED TO
Yeah, of course, but it must be switched off. • We use needn't have + past participle to talk about things people
did in the past that weren't necessary: She needn't have given it all
• To make deductions about something happening
away. (=she did give it all away, but this wasn't necessary).
now we use: modal verb+ be+ verb+ing.
• We usually use didn't need+ infinitive with to to talk about things
But someone might be using it to phone Australia!
people didn't do in the past because they weren't necessary: She
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DEDUCTIONS IN THE PAST
decided that her daughters would be alright and she didn't need to
• To make deductions about a state or a completed leave them her money(= she didn't leave them her money because
action in the past we use: modal verb + have + past she thought it wasn't necessary).
participle.
TIP
Or someone could have taken it from your bag. • It is also possible to use didn't need+ infinitive with to to talk about
So you may have left it on the table. things people did in the past, but weren't necessary. Usually the context
You can't have left it in the bar. makes it clear whether the person did the action or not.
That guy in the club must have stolen it. Compare these sentences:
• To make deductions about a longer action in the He didn't need to wait for her, so he went straight home.
past we use: modal verb+ have+ been+ verb+ing. (He didn't wait for her.)
He might have been waiting for a chance to steal He didn't need to wait for her, but he had nothing better to do.
my phone. (He waited for her.)
TIP COULD, WAS/WERE ABLE TO
• We can also use couldn't instead of can't to make • We usually use could to talk about a general ability in the past:
deductions in the past: You couldn't have left it in My sister could speak three languages before she was ten.
the bar. She could give away millions of pounds every year.
They must have been • We usually use was/were able to to talk about ability at one specific
waiting for ages! time in the past: Due to her vast wealth, Leona Helmsley was able to
leave $12 million to her dog.
TIPS
• We usually use could with verbs of the senses (see, hear, etc.):
We could see the lake out of our hotel window.
• Was/Were able to is similar in meaning to managed to:
Gates was able to/managed to build his business empire.
• In the negative form, couldn't and wasn't able to can both be used
in all situations, although couldn't is more common:
I couldn't find my wallet. =I wasn't able to find my wallet .
• •
