Modal verbs of deduction: Past

 1 Select the correct answer.

1-  I don’t know why John didn’t come to the party: he may / can’t have been busy.

2 - Steven isn’t in the office: he must / can’t have gone home.

3 - Joe’s very clever: he must / might have passed all his exams with top marks.

4 - Sarah can’t fi nd her glasses: she might / can’t have left them at the restaurant.

5 - The man is in prison now: he can’t / could have robbed the bank yesterday.

6 - It’s eight o’clock and Helen’s in bed already: she can’t / must have been very tired.

7 - Paul’s late: he can’t / might not have heard the alarm.

8- This is not Tudor Square: we can’t / must have taken the wrong road.

9- Someone’s left their mobile here: it might / can’t have been Amy or Sheila.

10- Tom missed his train this morning: he can’t / must have arrived on time at the offi ce.

 2 Completa the fhrase with the verbs.

- Must have missed 

- Can’t have been

- Could have borrowed 

- May not have seen

- Might have told 

- Must have been

- Can’t have forgotten 

- Must have caught

- Can’t have gone  

- Must have lost

1. I can’t fi nd my ticket. I _______________ it.

2. Jack was in his offi ce fi ve minutes ago: he

_______________ home already.

3. James had three sandwiches. He _______________ very hungry.

4. The driver didn’t stop because he _______________ the red light.

5. Betty was very late last night: she _______________ the last bus.

6. Caroline looks very brown: the weather

_______________ bad on her holiday.

7. A Who told Rob about the party?

B I’m not sure: Clare _______________ him.

8. Here’s Sally already. She _______________ the

earlier train.

9. You _______________ his name: I’ve just introduced you to him.

10. I saw Jenny with lots of books: she _______________ them from the library.

3 - write a phrase using the words in parenthesis: must have, might / may /

could have o can’t have.

1 The streets are white this morning.

(it / snow / during the night)

2 The computer’s on.

(Jack / forget / switch it off)

3 I wonder why Ben hasn’t arrived yet.

(he / get lost)

4 Sylvia only had a small salad.

(she / be / very hungry)

5 There’s a lot of food in the fridge.

(mum / do / shopping)

6 Steven passed all his exams.

(he / study / very hard)

7 Diana looked terrible yesterday.

(she / be / very well)

8 I don’t know why Neil didn’t come to the concert last night. (he / work / late)

9 Tom’s car is here.

(he / drive / to work)

10 I wonder why Brian hasn’t called me.

(you / give / him / wrong number)

4 - TRANSLATION

Translate in Spanish the following sentences

1. It's cold: Pauline must have forgotten to

close the windows.

2. You can't have already finished your homework!

3. Steven must have arrived at the office very early this morning.

4. Juan may not have received your mensaje.

5. Your friends can't have arrived: their plane

it's late.

6. The streets are wet: it must have rained a lot.

7. Jack didn't come: he may have had another meeting.

8. Liz broke her arm: she must have had an accident.

9. Sue couldn't have forgotten your birthday.

10. Charles may have invited Jason to the party.