Modal verbs with a perfect infinitive -
Modal verbs with the perfect infinitive
Modal verbs with a perfect infinitive convey an action related to the past. However, along with the past meaning, the whole situation acquires an additional semantic connotation. For example, the modal verbs should and ought combined with the perfect infinitive (should have done, ought to have done) means that someone has not done what is needed was done in a certain situation:
The flowers have withered. - You should have watered them (but you didn’t). The flowers have withered. - You should have watered them (but you didn't).
You ought to have helped him (but you didn’t). You should have helped him (but you didn't).
Negative forms shouldn’t have done, oughtn’t to have done are used in situations where someone's actions are considered illegal and it is emphasized that this should not be done:
Why did you tell him the news? You shouldn’t (oughtn’t to) have done it - he feels very upset.
Correct answers out of10. Result:
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1. I haven’t seen George for a long time. He must his workplace as he had once promised.
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change
have changed
be changing
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2. Sue has refused to come to the party. She may for her maths exam.
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be revising
revise
have been revising
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3. You should more responsible and hard-working, otherwise you’ll lose your job.
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have been
be
has been
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4. I don’t understand how the accident has happened. The driver can’t the pedestrian crossing the street.
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see
be seeing
have seen
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5. Where is Jane? — She may the shopping and has forgotten about our meeting.
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do
have done
be doing
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6. We planned to go abroad this summer but we didn’t. We could , but some unforeseen circumstances prevented us from doing this.
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have gone
go
have been going
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7. You needn’t him twice of anything. He is fully concentrated on his duties.
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have reminded
remind
to remind
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8. The Browns’ house has been burgled. They should always the doors and the windows when leaving
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be locking
lock
have locked
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9. They don’t hear the doorbell. They might .
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sleep
be sleeping
have been sleeping
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10. Mabel is well-educated and has good manners. She can’t like that.
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have behaved
to behave
be behaving
Choose the correct infinitive form to match the modal verb.