3. Let’s speculate. Past modals
• The customer might have bought a gift for
someone.
• The saleswoman may have exchanged a
damaged piece of jewelry.
• The man may have stolen a piece of jewelry.
• There might have been a payment problem.
• The sales woman may have sold the wrong
piece of jewelry.
8. Let’s speculate again.
• There might have been a protest against the
service at the train station.
• There may have been an inspection at the
station.
• People may have rescued someone trapped.
• People at the train station may have had an
accident.
• There might have happened an earthquake.
9. Check your guesses
• http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/peopl
e-help-a-man-level-3
10. • Are we speculating about the past or the
present?
• What form do we use to speculate about the
past?
• What is the form that we use to speculate
about the present?
11. Speculating about the past
Past Modals Certainty
AFFIRMATIVE
He must have + ____________ (p.p.) 95%
He may have + ____________ (p.p.)
He might have + ___________ (p.p.)
50%
He could have + ____________ (p.p.)
NEGATIVE
He can’t have + _____________ (p.p.)
He couldn’t have + ___________ (p.p.)
99%
He must not have + ___________ (p.p.) 95%
He may not have + ___________ (p.p)
He might not have + __________ (p.p.)
50 %
