Modal verbs for expressing past probability (deduction)
Must have, can't have, couldn't have: expressing past probability | |
Structure: modal verb + have + past participle must have been, can't have gone, couldn't have gone, etc. | |
We use must have to express that we feel sure that something was true in the past. | They must have left early. He must have already gone. |
We use can't have or couldn't have to say that we believe something was impossible in the past. | He can't have escaped through this window – it’s too small. She can't have said that. She couldn't have said that. |
May / might / could have: expressing past probability | |
Structure: modal + have + past participle may have been, could have gone, might have lost, etc. | |
We use may have, could have, might have to say that it was possible that something happened in the past (but we are not 100% sure). | He may have missed the bus. The road might have been blocked. (= ‘I think the road was blocked, but I’m not 100% sure.’) |
The negatives are may not have andmight not have. We don’t use couldn’t have in the same way. | He may not have left yet. I might not have given her the money; I’m not sure.
I could not have given her the money, I’m
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Exercises: http://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/modal-verbs-for-past-probability-must-have-cant-have-couldnt-have-may-have
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