Do you know how to use English modal verbs in the past? Modal verbs can be tricky enough by themselves but then learning how to use them in the past is another kettle of fish entirely. In today’s blog post, I’ll explain the form and usage for how to use modal verbs in the past.
« Shoulda, woulda, coulda… or should I say should have done, would have done, could have done! »
Why is it important?
Simply because modal verbs are incredibly useful for making deductions, expressing possibility or regret as well as showing your abilities. When we use them in the past we have even more ways to express ourselves in English including how to imagine a different result in the past.
Learning how to use these verbs in the past will increase your fluency as you will be able to express yourself so much better. After all that’s why you’re here learning English with Intrepid English, right!
So what are the modal verbs and how to structure them in the past?
What are the modal verbs?
The modal verbs are:
- Can
- Could
- Should
- Must
- May
- Might
- Shall
- Will
- Would
How to structure them in the past
Modal verb + have + past participle
Now the way we use them is subtle, but don’t worry, in this blog you will get all the explanations you need to use them!
Here are the different ways you can use modal verbs in the past:
- Talking about a possibility
- Expressing a regret
- Making a recommendation or criticism
- Elaborating on deductions
- Expressing disbelief
So let’s get cracking!
How to express possibility using the past modal verbs:
This is when we talk about possible situations in the past that did not actually happen.
We use these modal verbs:
Could / would / might + have + past participle
If he had explained the situation, I would have helped (= it was possible for me to help him but I didn’t know so I didn’t)
Extra side note for ´would’ :
This modal verb is commonly found in conditionals and when it is used in the past it is the 3rd conditional. This conditional is to talk about the unreal past (situations that were possible in the past but didn’t happen but we imagine the alternative consequence if the situation had happened.)
If I hadn’t missed the bus, I would have been on time. ( = I missed the bus so I was late.)
It is also to express regret or blame that something didn’t happen as expected.
If you had told me the truth, I wouldn’t have come. (=I blame you for lying to me.)
If I had studied art, I would have become an artist. (= I regret not studying art.)
NOTE: Remember that modal verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the verbs (without to – we call this the basic infinitive). That means, we can’t say would has or must has, “have” goes with all pronouns.
COULD HAVE v WOULD HAVE
With could instead of would the connotation is that the speaker had the chance, the possibility to do something in the past but chose not to do it.
He could have called to say he was going to be late. (= He chose not to call and warn me of his lateness.)
MIGHT HAVE
We use might in the past when we want to express that there were different possibilities in the past and it was less likely to happen.
He might have arrived on time if he hadn’t overslept and missed his bus. (= it was unlikely that he would have been on time.)
To express regret in the past:
We have seen that we can use would in the 3rd conditional to express regret about something in the past.
We can also use the modal verb should in the past to also express regret.
I should have stayed home and studied instead of going to the party. (= I regret going to the party.)
To express criticism or advice in the past:
Should is the modal verb for giving advice and this is true also in the past especially when we want to express that we are unhappy about an action or behaviour in the past and we want it to change.
You shouldn’t have ordered for me. This isn’t what I wanted to eat. (I am annoyed that the person ordered food for me. In the future I want to order for myself.)
She should have listened to the doctor. Now her health is worse.
Deductions in the past:
Another very common way to use the modals in the past is to make deductions in the past.
We use these modals for deductions:
Must / might / may / should + have + past participle
MUST HAVE:
If you want to express you’re certain about your deduction in the past then use must + have + past participle.
He must have forgotten our date. (= He’s not at the restaurant so I am certain he has forgotten.)
MIGHT / MAY HAVE:
This is to show we are guessing and not sure of our deduction:
He might have gone to the wrong place or he may have lost his phone? (= I am guessing the reason he is not there.)
SHOULD HAVE:
We use this to express that something was supposed to happen if everything had gone according to plan. We are not completely certain it has gone as expected though.
He should have arrived at the restaurant by now. (= if all had gone correctly he was supposed to be at the restaurant at that point in time.)
Expressing disbelief:
This is the final use for modals in the past.
For this we use the negatives : can’t / couldn’t + have + past participle
CAN’T HAVE:
You can use this modal to describe that you don’t believe something happened in the past:
You can’t have eaten all that food by yourself! (It is not possible in my opinion that you ate all the food. I can’t believe it!)
COULDN’T HAVE:
This is to express that you are sure a situation didn’t happen in the past as it is impossible in your opinion.
You couldn’t have seen Bob as he is in Spain. (= it is impossible that you saw Bob.)
Now you have seen the different uses of the past modal verbs time to put them to practise!
Be sure also to check out my YouTube videos on the different modals and how to use them. They will be broadcasted on my Ask Us Anything playlist. If you have any questions be sure to comment in our Community page so I can answer your questions on any grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation in future videos.
Intrepid English Members should also be sure to check out our Fast Grammar course for bitesize English grammar lessons, quizzes and downloadable pdfs.