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Modals + Present Perfect

Definition:

Present modal perfect tense is used when it is unknown if the subject performed an action
prior to some designated point in its future or past, but it’s possible, necessary or likely that
the subject will or did. A present modal perfect tense begins with any present tense modal
(may, might, could, must and should) followed by “have,” plus the past tense of the action
verb.

May
Past possibility
Might
Could Have + Past participle Past probability
Must Past assumption
Should Past recommendation

Contracted forms:

Afirmative form Negative form

May have May’ve Mayn’t’ve
Might have Might’ve Mightn’t’ve
Could have Could’ve Couldn’t’ve
Must have Must’ve Mustn’t’ve
Should have Should’ve Shouldn’t’ve

Examples:

It may’ve been easier if you had asked for help.

I’m not sure, but the dog might’ve dug his way out of the backyard.

They didn’t let her, but she could’ve written the proposal herself.

The mother saw Patty’s blue hands, she must’ve been playing with paint.

If they had paid the bill in time, the order would’ve already arrived.

Referências

MODAL and Perfect Tenses. Disponível em:

<https://www.tamiu.edu/uc/writingcenter/documents/VerbFormsExcercise2.pdf>. Acesso em:
05 mar. 2018.

SPIRANDEO, Vanessa. Perfect modal: deduções no passado em inglês. Disponível em:

<https://englishlive.ef.com/pt-br/blog/perfect-modal-deducoes-no-passado-em-ingles/>.
Acesso em: 05 mar. 2018.