MODAL VERBS II – MODAL PERFECTS

Modal Verb + have + past participle

MODAL PERFECTS MEANING EXAMPLE

Ability to have done It was silly to go over the speed limit. You could have
had an accident.
Could have something but in fact (Fue una estupidez rebasar el límite de velocidad.
did not Podrías haber tenido un accidente)
Certainty that My brother couldn’t have caused a head-on collision
because he was at work.
Couldn’
ouldn’t have something didn’t (Mi hermano no pudo haber provocado un choque
happen frontal porque estaba en el trabajo.)

Certainty or logical They must have been really scared when a car went
into their lane.
Must have conclusión about an (Debieron de haber tenido mucho miedo cuando un
event in the past coche invadió su carril)
I should / ought to have resisted the urge to eat that
Should
Should / Criticism or regret chocolate cake because I’m on a diet.
ought to have after an event (Debería haber contenido las ganas de comer ese pastel
de chocolate porque estoy a dieta.)
You shouldn’t have been so reckless while you were
Criticism or regret driving.
Shouldn’
Shouldn’t have after an event (No deberías haber sido tan temerario mientras
conducías)
She lost control of her car for a momento. Something
A guess about a may / might have distracted her.
May / Might have past action (Perdió el control del coche por un momento. Puede /
Podría ser que algo la distrajera)
Willingness to I would have taken you to the airport but my car
have done broke down.
Would have something but in (Te habría llevado al aeropuerto pero se me estropeó el
fact did not coche)

English Teacher: Mercedes González Delgado IES Carlos Cano – Los Barrios (Cádiz)