Modal verbs — past deduction — The Memory That Never Was
Grammar: Modal Verbs
Free ESL grammar exercise on modal verbs — past deduction themed around the memory that never was. Printable worksheet from EnglishPlans.com.
What's on this worksheet
A Level 5 (advanced) ESL grammar exercise on psychology, practising modal verbs. The worksheet has a short reading excerpt, a grammar reference and graded practice items.
From the reading
These individuals could not have experienced something that never happened, yet their confidence in the fabricated memory was indistinguishable from confidence in a real one.
Grammar: Modal Verbs
- must have + past
- She must have seen the attacker clearly. — near-certain deduction about the past
- can't have + past
- He can't have encoded that detail — he wasn't there. — near-certain negative deduction
Sample items
- The jury ______ (trust) the eyewitness — her account was detailed and consistent.
- He ______ (be) at the scene — he was in a different city that evening.
- The post-event interview ______ (alter) her original perception without her realising.
Subscribe to access the full exercise
View Plans