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Modal Verbs in Past Tense

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Questions and Answers

What does 'could have + past participle' indicate?

A possible action in the past that did not happen.

Provide an example of 'could have + past participle'.

She could have called and spoken to Mona.

What does 'couldn't have + past participle' describe?

An impossible action in the past.

Provide an example of 'couldn't have + past participle'.

She couldn't have been at the supermarket at 8.00, because he was in the café. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'should have + past participle' express?

A past action that would have been a better choice. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of 'should have + past participle'.

You should have read that valuable book. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'shouldn't have + past participle' imply?

A past action that was a bad idea. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of 'shouldn't have + past participle'.

She shouldn't have gotten upset. Signup and view all the answers

'Should/shouldn't have + past participle' is equivalent to 'ought/ought not to have + past participle'.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the usage of 'should you have + past participle'?

To ask if a past action would have been appropriate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Using could have + past participle

To express possibility in the past, or ability to do something
Example: She could have called and spoken to Mona.

Using couldn't have + past participle

To express impossibility in the past
Example: She couldn't have been at the supermarket at 8.00, because he was in the café.

Using should have + past participle

To express a past action that was a better choice but didn't happen
Example: You should have read that valuable book.
To express regret
Example: She should have put her phone down.

Using shouldn't have + past participle

To express a past action that was a poor idea
Example: She shouldn't have got upset.

Note

should/shouldn't have + past participle has the same meaning as ought/ought not to have + past participle.

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