Ex. 1- Modals of Past Recommendation: should have, ought to have, could have
Instructions. Use the words in parenthesis to form a past time verb phrase. Example: My car is really dirty. I (should, wash)______________ it yesterday.
should have washed
Explanation
Should have, ought to have, and could have can be used to express advice in the past. Should have and ought to have are stronger than could have.
a. I should have cleaned my house last Saturday when I had time. b. I shouldn't have spent so much time watching television last night. c. We ought to have saved more money for the trip. d. I know you were busy yesterday, but you could have called.
Questions: e. Shouldn't you have cleaned your house last Saturday? f. Couldn't you have called?
Contractions are normally used in negatives and in questions. The following sentences would be considered highly formal: Should you not have cleaned your house last Saturday? Could you not have called?
Note: Ought to is not used in questions.
A: Look. My sweater has shrunk. B: You (should, not, wash) ________________ it in hot water.
A: You have a bad sunburn. B: I went to the beach and forgot my sunscreen. A: You (could, buy) ______________ some there.
A: I'm really tired today. I didn't go to bed until 2:00. B: You know you (should, not, stay) ___________________ so late when you have to get up early the next day.
A: I bought this shirt a couple of weeks ago and it doesn't fit. B: You (ought to, take) __________________ it back for a refund. A: The store where I bought it doesn't give refunds. B: I'll be sure not to go shopping there.
A: I've had a terrible headache since I got up this morning. B: Did you take any aspirin? A: I don't have any. B: You (should, told) _________________me. I have aspirin in my office.
A: Nicole's parents are angry because she didn't call them. She said her cell phone wasn't working. B: (could, not, she, use) _______________ a public telephone?
A: You (should, not, say) __________________ that. Now she's really angry. B: I'd better talk to her.
A: You know, we really (ought to, have) ______________ the car checked by a mechanic before buying it. B: Yes, we should have. This car is turning out to be a real lemon.
A: Look at the flies in this room. B: You (should, not, leave)________________ the door open.
A: He didn't know about the new schedule because no one told him. B: (should, not, the manager, tell) ____________________ him?