Past modals: should have, might have, can't have (C1) — English exercises with answers

Past modals for regret, deduction and possibility: should have, must have, might have, can't have

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
You so rude to the waiter — he was only doing his job.
shouldn't have beenshouldn't bemustn't have beencan't have been'Shouldn't have been' criticises a past action that was a mistake.
2
Multiple choice
She's not answering her phone. She asleep already.
might have fallenmight fallshould have fallencan fall'Might have + past participle' expresses a possible explanation for a past situation.
3
Multiple choice
He the email — I sent it an hour ago and he always replies quickly.
can't have seenmustn't have seenshouldn't have seencouldn't see'Can't have + past participle' expresses that something is almost certainly not true, based on the evidence.
4
Multiple choice
Which sentence expresses a confident conclusion about the past?
He must have missed the bus — he's never late otherwise.He might have missed the bus.He should have missed the bus.He can miss the bus.'Must have + past participle' expresses a confident, logical conclusion about the past.
5
Fill the gap
I (study) harder — I failed the exam.
Answer: should have studied'Should have + past participle' expresses regret about a past action that didn't happen.
6
Fill the gap
They (leave) already — their car isn't in the driveway.
Answer: must have left'Must have + past participle' is used for a logical conclusion based on evidence.
7
Fill the gap
It (be) him at the party — he was in another city that weekend.
Answer: can't have beenAlso accepted: couldn't have been'Can't/couldn't have been' expresses near-certainty that something was impossible.
8
Fill the gap
You (tell) me the news yourself instead of letting me find out online.
Answer: should have toldWe use 'should have + past participle' to criticise someone for not doing something.
9
Fill the gap
She (forget) about the meeting — she's usually so organised.
Answer: might have forgottenAlso accepted: may have forgotten'Might/may have + past participle' expresses a possible, uncertain explanation.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'He needn't have brought an umbrella — it didn't rain after all.'
Answer: True'Needn't have + past participle' shows an unnecessary action that was actually done.
11
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'She could have passed the exam if she studied.'
Answer: FalseThe if-clause needs the past perfect, 'if she had studied', to match the third conditional.
12
Discussion question
Think of a mistake you or someone you know made in the past. Explain it using 'should have' or 'shouldn't have'.
Sample answer: I should have booked the tickets earlier — by the time I checked, the concert was completely sold out. I shouldn't have left it until the last minute.

Past modals for regret, deduction and possibility: should have, must have, might have, can't have

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
You so rude to the waiter — he was only doing his job.
shouldn't have beenshouldn't bemustn't have beencan't have been'Shouldn't have been' criticises a past action that was a mistake.
2
Multiple choice
She's not answering her phone. She asleep already.
might have fallenmight fallshould have fallencan fall'Might have + past participle' expresses a possible explanation for a past situation.
3
Multiple choice
He the email — I sent it an hour ago and he always replies quickly.
can't have seenmustn't have seenshouldn't have seencouldn't see'Can't have + past participle' expresses that something is almost certainly not true, based on the evidence.
4
Multiple choice
Which sentence expresses a confident conclusion about the past?
He must have missed the bus — he's never late otherwise.He might have missed the bus.He should have missed the bus.He can miss the bus.'Must have + past participle' expresses a confident, logical conclusion about the past.
5
Fill the gap
I (study) harder — I failed the exam.
Answer: should have studied'Should have + past participle' expresses regret about a past action that didn't happen.
6
Fill the gap
They (leave) already — their car isn't in the driveway.
Answer: must have left'Must have + past participle' is used for a logical conclusion based on evidence.
7
Fill the gap
It (be) him at the party — he was in another city that weekend.
Answer: can't have beenAlso accepted: couldn't have been'Can't/couldn't have been' expresses near-certainty that something was impossible.
8
Fill the gap
You (tell) me the news yourself instead of letting me find out online.
Answer: should have toldWe use 'should have + past participle' to criticise someone for not doing something.
9
Fill the gap
She (forget) about the meeting — she's usually so organised.
Answer: might have forgottenAlso accepted: may have forgotten'Might/may have + past participle' expresses a possible, uncertain explanation.
10
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'He needn't have brought an umbrella — it didn't rain after all.'
Answer: True'Needn't have + past participle' shows an unnecessary action that was actually done.
11
True / false
This sentence is correct: 'She could have passed the exam if she studied.'
Answer: FalseThe if-clause needs the past perfect, 'if she had studied', to match the third conditional.
12
Discussion question
Think of a mistake you or someone you know made in the past. Explain it using 'should have' or 'shouldn't have'.
Sample answer: I should have booked the tickets earlier — by the time I checked, the concert was completely sold out. I shouldn't have left it until the last minute.