Modal auxiliaries and the perfect tenses: How and When to Use in English

Quick and simple lesson to help you understand grammar better.
Test your English and learn even more with Gymglish.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million users

Modal auxiliaries and the perfect tenses

The Modal Auxiliary + Have + Past Participle type construction (Modal Auxiliary + Perfect) allows us to speak retrospectively about a completed action in the past:
It must have been hot last summer. I imagine that it was probably hot last summer.
He could not have murdered her, since he was in Chicago. It's impossible that he murdered her, because he was in Chicago.
They may have crossed the border by now. They might have already crossed the border by now.
You might have missed a very good opportunity. It's possible that you have missed a very good opportunity.
She needn't have cleaned the entire house. It wasn't necessary for her to have cleaned the entire house.

Still facing difficulties with 'Modal auxiliaries and the perfect tenses'? Improve your English with Gymglish's English lessons - try our online English course for free now and receive a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Find out about other grammar rules. Improve your English further and test Gymglish, online English lessons.

Tips for learning 'Modal auxiliaries and the perfect tenses'? Share them with us!

TEST YOUR ENGLISH