Past modals
Must have, can't have, might have, should have and needn't have + past participle.
Modal verbs + have + past participle help you guess, judge and criticise things in the past. Time to be a detective!
How sure are you?
All these structures use the same pattern: modal + have + past participle.
Criticism and regret
How it comes up in Part 4
In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (2–5 words).
MUST
Tom must have forgotten about the meeting.
'I'm sure' + past → must have + past participle.
SHOULDN'T
You shouldn't have lied to your parents.
Criticising a past action: shouldn't have + past participle.
MIGHT
Maria might have taken the wrong bus.
'Perhaps' + past → might have + past participle. Took → taken.
Common mistakes
- ✗ He must have went home.✓ He must have gone home.Use the past participle, not the past simple.
- ✗ She mustn't have seen me.✓ She can't have seen me.When you are sure something didn't happen, use can't have.
- ✗ You should told me.✓ You should have told me.Don't forget 'have'.
Ask yourself: am I sure (must / can't), is it just possible (might / may / could), or am I criticising (should / ought to)? Then add have + past participle – and check irregular verbs: gone, taken, seen, forgotten!
Quick check
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 2–5 words.
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