How Do Modal Verbs with Perfect Infinitive Express Regret? (C2 Exercises)

At C2 level, modal verbs combine with the perfect infinitive to look back at past actions with criticism, regret, or wasted effort, as in I ought to have known better than to trust him. Might or could have express an unfulfilled possibility, often a reproach, as in you might have warned me.

Grammar Rule

Should have and ought to have express unfulfilled obligation or regret. Shouldn’t have criticizes an action that was actually carried out. Needn’t have shows an action was performed but unnecessary, contrasting with didn’t need to, which is neutral about whether the action happened. Could/might have express an unfulfilled possibility, often a reproach.

Modal Verbs with Perfect Infinitive for Unfulfilled Obligation and Regret: Rules and Examples

Remember: Use modal + have + past participle, never a bare infinitive, to talk about regrets and unnecessary actions in the past.

Practice Test

Instructions

Answer each question in the test below using modal verbs with the perfect infinitive correctly. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.