Past Modal Verbs in English
We can use should, would and could to talk about past actions.
In this lesson, you’ll learn the meanings and structure of these modal verbs and practise using them.
How to use modal verbs in the past?
Should
- Should + have + past participle
- An action was a good idea but it didn’t happen, or to critique a past action.
- E.g. I should have paid the bills last night.
Would
- Would + have + past participle
- Used for hypothetical situations that you wanted but they didn’t happen. Common in 3rd conditional sentences.
- E.g. I would have gone, but I was too busy.
Could
- Could + have + past participle
- To show that there was the opportunity or the ability but it didn’t happen.
- E.g. They could have won the championship, but they didn’t.
Examples
I should have cleaned the house this morning.
I would have given you a lift if you had told me.
We could have travelled by train but the car was easier.
Practise
Fill the gaps with the correct past modal structure.
Common mistakes learners make
- Using base verb instead of past participle
- Confusing the meaning
Common mistakes learners make
- Using base verb instead of past participle
- Confusing the meaning