Modals of Deduction in the Past (must have, might have) – Worksheet 1

Complete each sentence using the words in brackets + have + past participle.

Example: Her eyes are red. She ___ (must / cry). → must have cried

1. The streets are wet. It (must / rain) during the night.

2. Tom isn't answering his phone. He (might / leave) it at home.

3. Ana (can't / see) us – she walked straight past without saying hello.

4. Where's my umbrella? I (may / leave) it on the bus.

5. The window is broken. Someone (must / throw) a ball through it.

6. Could Leo (take) the keys by mistake?

7. They (might not / receive) our invitation – they never replied.

8. You (couldn't / be) at the cinema last night – it was closed for repairs.

Complete the sentences with a phrase from the box. You can use each phrase more than once. Two phrases are not needed.

Word box must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had

9. Maria got 100% in the test. She Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had studied really hard.

10. I'm not sure where Paul is. He Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had gone to the gym, or maybe he's at work.

11. Sam Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had stolen the money – he was on holiday in another country at the time.

12. Perhaps the baby is hungry. She Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had eaten enough at lunch.

13. The lights are off and nobody's answering the door. They Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had gone out.

14. Jack Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had written this essay himself – it's full of words he doesn't know.

15. I don't know why Emma looked upset. She Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had had some bad news.

16. Ben was late for work. He Choose… must havecan't havemight havemight not haveshould havemust had heard his alarm, but I'm not sure.

Rewrite each sentence using the modal in brackets + have + past participle.

Example: I'm sure Jo forgot. (must) → Jo must have forgotten.

17. I'm sure Olivia missed the bus. (must)

18. Perhaps the shop closed early. (might)

19. I'm certain Daniel didn't break the vase. (can't)

20. It's possible that they got lost. (could)

21. Maybe she didn't hear the doorbell. (may not)

22. I'm sure the children were tired after the trip. (must)

23. It's impossible that Kate wrote this letter. (couldn't)

24. Is it possible that Ryan took the wrong train? (could)

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the correct sentence.

Example: He might have took it. → He might have taken it.

25. She must has forgotten our meeting.

26. They might have went to the beach.

27. You can't have saw him yesterday – he was in Paris.

28. It must have be very cold in the mountains.

29. I think Lucy may forgot her password.

30. Where are my glasses? I could of left them in the car.

31. Could he has taken my phone by mistake?

32. The match must have finish late, because they didn't get home until midnight.

Put the words in the correct order to make sentences or questions.

Example: have / he / must / left → He must have left.

33. have / tired / she / must / been

34. key / have / might / he / the / lost

35. can't / they / the / have / message / read

36. have / the / could / door / someone / opened / ?

37. not / may / understood / have / the / question / she

38. left / have / earlier / must / the / train

39. been / couldn't / him / it / have