Modal passive
In general, we follow this structure to use modal verbs in the passive voice:
Modal verb + be + past participle
And we follow this structure to use modal verbs in the past passive voice:
Modal verb + have been + past participle
If that sounds too complicated, don’t worry! It’s just a matter of structure:
| Modals in the Present Passive Modal + be + past participle | Modals in the Past Passive Modal + have been + past participle |
| It can be done. | It could have been done. |
| Your car could be sold. | Your car could have been sold. |
| The refrigerator might be fixed. | The refrigerator might have been fixed. |
| A donation may be made. | A donation may have been made. |
| Her writing should be fixed. | Her writing should have been fixed. |
Important: We use must have been to share our assumptions or reaction to things that happened in the past. We often use this modal structure to guess about something that might have happened (not for obligation):
He doesn’t work here anymore. He must have been fired.
I called her yesterday but she didn’t answer. She must have been busy.
Your trip to Colombia must have been exciting!
If you’d like to express a reaction or make a conclusion about the way a person is feeling now, you can use must be:
You’ve been working for eight hours straight! You must be tired.
They travel all the time. Their lives must be so interesting.
So, you failed your exam! You must be disappointed.
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ReplyDeleteYour life could be protected.
DeleteThe workbook should have been finished last week.
By: Flor
ReplyDeleteYour cell phone could be sold.
The cell phone should have been sold last month.
My car can be fixed
ReplyDeleteMy car could have been fixed
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBy:Eddiefrei Huaricacha Sucari
ReplyDeleteyour cell phone battery should be repaired now.
your cell phone battery should have been repaired now.
My brother should be more organized with his homework.
ReplyDeleteMy brother should have been more organized with his homework the last week.
1. The room might be cleaned today.
ReplyDelete2. The money could have been delivered 2 hours ago.
His book could have been resold.
ReplyDeleteYour running should be faster.
Your house should be paint
ReplyDeleteYour house should have been painted last week.
Your house should be painted
DeleteYour house should have been painted last week.
ReplyDeleteThat washing might be broken
Your motorcicle could have been red
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1.My trip should be cancelled.
ReplyDelete2.My trip could have been yesterday.
My cell can be configured.
ReplyDeleteMy cell could have been configured.
You should be doing your homework.
ReplyDeleteYou should have been finished with the homework.
The printer might be fix today.
ReplyDeleteThe printer should been fixed yesterday.
I can be go to the park.
ReplyDeleteI could have go to the park.
Your hairstyle should be improved
ReplyDeleteYour hairstyle would have been better.
It can be done a trip to the jungle
ReplyDeleteIt could have been done a party this saturday
The TV should be bought today.
ReplyDeleteThe TV should have been bought yesterday.
Her translation must be perfect.
ReplyDeleteHer translation should have been the best.