Past Modal Verbs Level: Introduction Activity When we want to use modals to talk about ability, obligation, and intention in the past, we use a simple word change I can play the piano  I could play the piano when I was a kid I have to my homework  I had to my homework yesterday Mark will hand in the report tomorrow  Mark said he would hand in the report tomorrow Which sentence example is past ability? Past obligation? Past intention? When we want to make deductions or speculate about the past, give an opinion about the past, or express a regret, past modals come in the form of: modal + have + past participle Deductions about the past: Must have may have might have can’t have couldn’t have “Sarah isn’t home right now She must have gone out.” (Speaker is completely certain that something is true) “Sarah isn’t home right now She may have gone to the grocery store.” “Sarah’s not answering her phone She might have gone out.” (Speaker is not certain, but it’s possible) “Sarah was in Hawaii when the crime was committed She can’t have done it.” (Speaker is completely certain something is not true.) Giving an opinion or expressing regret about the past: Should have shouldn’t have Lisa didn’t get the job because she came to the interview late She should have arrived on time.” (Expressing an opinion) I gained a lot of weight over Christmas I shouldn’t have eaten so much (Expressing a regret) Discussion: What should banks have done before the wake of the financial crisis? Practice Activity Select the correct answer: When Jillian came home, her window was broken and her computer was missing Her house _ burgled a must have been b couldn’t have been c has to be Sarah is very angry with her boyfriend He done something wrong a can’t have b might not have c may have d had to I noticed when I got to work that I did not have my cellphone I left it on the bus a must not have b should have c couldn’t have When I arrived in New York City, I realized I had no idea where my hotel was I got lost for hours! I brought a map a couldn’t have b should have c might have d must have My mother has problems with her lungs She _ smoked those cigarettes last night a shouldn’t have b should have c must have d might not have Communication Activity With a partner, use past modal verbs to make deductions about the pictures below: Communication Activity With a partner, read the following brainteasers Use past modal verbs to explain each situation Try to come up with as many explanations as possible Then compare your answers with your classmates’ answers A man lived on the fourteenth floor of a building Ever day he took the elevator to the ground floor to go to work When he returned, he took the elevator to the tenth floor and walked up the stairs to his apartment on the fourteenth floor He hated walking, so why did he it? A man and his son were in a car accident The man died on the way to the hospital, but the boy was taken into surgery The surgeon said, “I can’t operate, that’s my son!” How was this possible? Teacher Explanations: The man was too short to reach any buttons higher than the button for the 10th floor (Possible student answers: “The man must have been too short to reach the other buttons.” “The 11-14 buttons must have been broken.”) The surgeon was his mother (Possible student answers: “The surgeon must have been his mother.” “The surgeon may have been his stepfather.”)