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Perfect Infinitive With Modal Verbs With Answer 12th Dec

The document discusses the structure "modal verb + have + past participle", also known as the perfect infinitive. It explains that this structure is used to refer to past events or unreal situations, and provides examples of different modal verbs used with the perfect infinitive, including: - may/might have + past participle to express possible past actions - should/ought to have + past participle to indicate unfulfilled past obligations - must have + past participle to indicate something that was essential in the past - couldn't/can't have + past participle to indicate certainty that something did not happen in the past.

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Eaint Phoo Thant
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971 views8 pages

Perfect Infinitive With Modal Verbs With Answer 12th Dec

The document discusses the structure "modal verb + have + past participle", also known as the perfect infinitive. It explains that this structure is used to refer to past events or unreal situations, and provides examples of different modal verbs used with the perfect infinitive, including: - may/might have + past participle to express possible past actions - should/ought to have + past participle to indicate unfulfilled past obligations - must have + past participle to indicate something that was essential in the past - couldn't/can't have + past participle to indicate certainty that something did not happen in the past.

Uploaded by

Eaint Phoo Thant
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modal Verbs + Perfect Infinitive

The structure “have + past participle” is called a perfect infinitive.

Form:

MODAL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

Usage:

 to refer to the past

 to refer to unreal situations

 to show that the activity was different from what we wanted

 to say how confident we are that something has happened

Example
May + Have + Past Participle

Express the possibility that an action took place in the past

 The little girl may have lost the key.


(It is possible that she lost the key.)

Might + Have + Past Participle


Express a past possibility

 Our neighbours might have heard some noises when our car was
stolen.

might/may have+ past participle

We use might/may have + past participle to say that it’s


possible that something was true or happened in the past.
Example
It’s been three days. They might/may have finished painting the house
by now.

If they left at 9, they might/may have already arrived.

She might/may not have heard us. Knock again.

*********************************************************************************
Should + Have + Past Participle
Indicate that the past obligation was not fulfilled or carried out.

 You should have locked the door before leaving the house.
(But you didn’t lock it.)

Ought to + Have + Past Participle


Express an unfulfilled duty or obligation

 Paul ought to have waited until the lights were green before he
crossed the street. (But he didn’t wait.)

should/ought to have + past participle

We use should have/ought to have + past participle to talk about a


situation expected to happen in the past.

Example

You should/ought to have already packed your things. We’re going to


be late.

He should/ought to have studied more. Nobody fails if they study.

******************************************************
Would + Have + Past Participle
The third conditional

 I would have gone to university if my parents had had more


money. (The speaker didn’t go to university.)

*****************************************************************************************

must have + past participle


The structure must have + past participle is used to say what one
thinks was essential.

Example
He must have been more careful.
(= He wasn’t careful though that was absolutely necessary.)

Sarah couldn't find her glasses. She thought she must have left them
at her office.

Notes

Must is stronger than should.

Ought to is similar to should. It is not as strong as must.

……………………………………………………………….
can’t /couldn’t have + past participle
We use can’t/couldn’t have + past participle to say that we
are quite sure that something did not happen or was not true in the past.

Example

You can’t/couldn’t have seen John last night. He was in hospital.

She can’t/couldn’t have passed the test. She didn’t even open the
books.

*************************************************

Latest Word

Submissions
Complete the following sentences using perfect infinitives.
1. I am glad ……………….. a good job.
a) to have found
b) to have been finding
c) to find

2. She was sorry ………………….. the first prize.


a) to miss
b) to have missed
c) to have been missing

3. We hope ………………… the job by next Sunday.


a) to finish
b) to have finished
c) to have been finishing

4. You seem …………………… him yesterday.


a) to annoy
b) to have annoyed
c) to have been annoying
5. I meant to ………………… the letter, but I forgot.
a) sent
b) have sent
c) have been sending

6. You should ………………… I was getting worried.


a) have called
b) be calling
c) have been called

7. I …………………….. the plants.


a) needn’t watering
b) needn’t have watered
c) needn’t to water

8. You …………………… those words to grandma.


a) shouldn’t said
b) shouldn’t have said
c) shall not have said
Answers
1. I am glad to have found a good job.
2. She was sorry to have missed the first prize.
3. We hope to have finished the job by next Sunday.
4. You seem to have annoyed him yesterday.
5. I meant to have sent the letter, but I forgot.
6. You should have called. I was getting worried.
7. I needn’t have watered the plants.
8. You shouldn’t have said those words to grandma

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