Comment exprimer une certitude ou une probabilité sur un événement qui s’est déjà passé ? On utilise les modaux de déduction suivis de HAVE + Participe Passé.
1. Certitude Affirmative : MUST HAVE DONE (90%+)
On est presque sûr que quelque chose est arrivé.
- The ground is wet. It must have rained last night.
- He’s not here. He must have forgotten the meeting.
2. Possibilité : MIGHT / COULD HAVE DONE (30-50%)
On fait une supposition sur ce qui a pu se passer.
- I can’t find my bag. I might have left it on the bus.
- She was sad. She could have had some bad news.
3. Certitude Négative : CAN’T HAVE DONE (90%+)
On est sûr que quelque chose est impossible.
- He can’t have seen me. I was hiding!
- She can’t have finished already. It was a very long book.
4. Regret / Critique : SHOULD HAVE DONE 💡
Attention : Should have n’est pas une déduction, mais un regret ou une critique sur ce qui aurait été une bonne idée de faire.
- I should have studied more. (J’aurais dû étudier).
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
Complète avec le bon modal de déduction au passé.
À toi de jouer ! ✍️
#1 The phone rang but I didn't hear it. I (be) asleep.
#2 That (not / be) Tom you saw. He is in London.
#3 I'm not sure where she is. She (go) to the shops.
#4 You (see) that movie. It only came out today!
#5 The window is broken. Someone (throw) a stone.
#6 I (leave) my keys at work. I can't find them.
#7 He was very happy. He (get) the job.
#8 She (not / hear) the bell. She was listening to music.
#9 The letter (be) for you. It has your name on it.
#10 They (get) lost. They don't have a map.