MODAL VERBS
WOULD SHOULD COULD
Are modal verbs, they do not have past forms like
normal verbs do
What if I had worked harder, and I passed the exam?
What if I had taken the job and moved to Italy?
What if I told her how I feel?
USING WOULD HAVE
To Talk about the imaginary past
What would happen if things have gone the other way .
If I had got better exam results, I would have got into
Oxford.
I wouldn’t have met my wife if I had moved to Italy
seven years ago.
If I hadn’t forgotten my pen that day, I wouldn’t have
asked to borrow yours and we wouldn’t have become
friends.
COULD HAVE :
Conversation :
Jenny : Where do they suppose they are ?
Martha : I don’t know. Usually, they are so reliable. I
guessed they could have mixed up the date.
Jenny : Shall we try calling them ?We can’t wait forever.
Second Conversation
Jenny : When it will be ready ?
Richa : I think next Thursday .
Jenny : You said you would have this finished by end of
this week !Now what I am going to do .
Richa : Sorry.
Jenny : You could have told me sooner that you
weren’t going to finish on time.
Third Conversation
Patient : Doctor, is this serious ?
Doctor : No, it’s just a scratch .But be more careful next
time .You could have really hurt yourself!
You can also use could have to talk about the imaginary
past .
USING COULD HAVE
If I ‘d had more time, I could have finished everything.
He could have won it, if he hadn’t slipped at the start.
If you are using COULD HAVE to talk about the
imaginary past, you are talking about possibilities.
You are talking about opportunities and chances which
you didn’t have in the future but in your imaginary
version of the past you would have had these chances.
Another use of COULD HAVE :
Could have = you aren’t sure about something in the
past .You are talking about a possibility .
You are guessing about something
They could have mixed up the date.
I’ve lost my keys. I could have left them at work.
Where are they? I guess they could have missed the
train.
Could have = criticizing someone
You could have told me sooner.
You could have tidied up a bit.
You could have worn something a bit nicer.
Could have = You were lucky to avoid a bad situation (in
past )
It’s just a scratch, but you could have really hurt
yourself.
We were really late and we could have missed our
plane, but luckily, we just made it.
PART 3 SHOULD HAVE
Should have can be used in number of ways
Should have = criticizing someone that someone didn’t
do in the past (like could have)
You should have called me like you promised.
He should have checked the recipe before started
cooking.
They should have practiced penalties before match.
Should have = criticizing someone that someone that
one did .
You shouldn’t have drunk so much at the wedding!
She shouldn’t have everything to last minute.
Should have = criticizing yourself (something you
should have done in the past )
I should have realized, what was going around .
I shouldn’t have said that.
(That means should have can be used to show regret )
What are the common uses :
Criticizing others or oneself and you regret it .
Another use of Should Have
They should have been here by now .
It should have been ready by an hour ago .
The plane should have landed at seven thirty.
Here you use should have for something which is
expected to happen but it didn’t happen
Conversation 1 :
A : You should have told me your friends were coming!
I would have made some extra food .
B : Sorry ! I would have called you but I had no phone
credit .I should have topped up before we talked .
A : What are we going to eat ?We don’t have much in
the fridge .
B : I should have stopped and got a takeaway on the
way .Not to worry , we ‘ll order something .
Conversation 2 :
A: Where is the food? I am so hungry. They should have
come by now.
B: They are probably just busy.
A: They could have forgotten. They would have called
if there was a problem, don’t you think.
B: Relax! You should have got a snack when you got in.
It ‘ll be here soon.
Conversation 3
A : That was delicious !I never had such a good meal .
B :You could have left some for me .What I am
supposed to eat ?
A :Oh…I am so sorry .I would have left some, if I ‘d
know you wanted some .I should have asked .
B: Yeah you should have .Oh well ,there’s half a
cucumber in the fridge , I think .
Look at the dialogues :
I would have made some more food .
They could have forgotten.
I should have asked .
First sentence is talking about the imaginary past .If I
known that you were bringing guests , I would have
made some extra food .
Second Sentence is talking about something you aren’t
sure about in the past .You use could have to make a
guess .
Third sentence is criticism or an expression of regret .If
you say this you mean you made a mistake in the past .
Look at the dialogues :
They should have come by now .
Something didn’t happen the way you
expected
You could have left some for me .
Could have is used to criticize something
which someone else didn’t do .