Modal Verb + HAVE + Past Participle

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MODAL VERB HAVE PAST PARTICIPLE


You might have seen a sentence that uses MODAL VERB + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE, like “you might have seen“. 😀

When do we use such grammar construction?
Let’s take a closer look! 😉

 

We use might (may or could) + have + past participle (3d form of the verb) when we are not 100% sure whether something happened or not. In other word, we are guessing about what we think happened.

For example,

  • He could have broken my car window.
  • My teacher might have called my parents about my bad grades. 
  • She may have stolen my lipstick. 

 

We also use the modal verb MUST when we have a stronger opinion about what happened. So, when we feel sure that something happened in the past.

For example,  

  • He must have left the lights on in the house because out electricity bill was huge. 
  • The neighbours must have stolen my Christmas lights.

 

We also use MUST when we want to express a personal opinion in the past.

  • She must have been beautiful when she was young. 
  • Josh must have been a popular guy back in college. 

Read more:
Use of Modal Verbs in English Grammar

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