Past Modals

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What are past modals?

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Past modals are auxiliary verbs used to express possibility, necessity, or obligation in the past. They include 'must have', 'might have', 'should have', 'could have', and 'can't have'.

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When do we use 'must have'?

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We use 'must have' to indicate a strong assumption or conclusion about a past event based on evidence.

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When do we use 'might have'?

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We use 'might have' to express a possibility about a past event that is uncertain.

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When do we use 'should have'?

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We use 'should have' to indicate that something was expected or advisable in the past but did not happen.

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When do we use 'shouldn't have'?

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We use 'shouldn't have' to express regret or criticism about a past action that was not advisable.

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When do we use 'could have'?

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We use 'could have' to indicate a past ability or possibility that did not occur.

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When do we use 'can't have'?

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We use 'can't have' to express disbelief or to indicate that something was impossible in the past.

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Example of 'must have' in a sentence.

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She must have left early because I didn't see her at the party.

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Example of 'might have' in a sentence.

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They might have gone to the beach if the weather was nice.

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Example of 'should have' in a sentence.

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You should have studied harder for the exam.