Past Modal Verbs Quiz

Which modal verb is used to talk about something that was possible, but did not happen?

• Could have

• Should have

• Must have

• Would have

"You ____ eaten that entire cake. It was for everyone!"

• Shouldn't have

• Couldn't have

• Must have

• Might have

To express regret or criticism in the past, we use:

• Could have

• Should have

• Must have

• Would have

"They ____ arrived by now, but the traffic was terrible." (It's very likely)

• Might have

• Must have

• Could have

• Would have

"She ____ taken the wrong bus." (It's possible but uncertain)

• Should have

• Must have

• Might have

• Could have

Which of the following sentences is used to express past ability?

• She could have won the race if she had trained harder.

• She must have trained very hard to win the race.

• She should have trained harder to win the race.

• She might have trained hard to win the race.

"He ____ called you if he had known you were waiting." (It was possible)

• Might have

• Must have

• Could have

• Would have

To talk about a past obligation that wasn't fulfilled, we use:

• Must have

• Should have

• Could have

• Would have

"I ____ warned you about the danger, but I forgot."

• Should have

• Could have

• Must have

• Might have

"You ____ left your phone at home; that's why you didn't receive the call." (Certain)

• Could have

• Might have

• Must have

• Should have