Speculating about the past. Introduction

1. Speculating
What might have happened?
With News in levels
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

2. What might have happened?
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

3. Let’s speculate. Past modals
• The customer might have bought a gift for
someone.
• The saleswoman may have exchanged a
damaged piece of jewelry.
• The man may have stolen a piece of jewelry.
• There might have been a payment problem.
• The sales woman may have sold the wrong
piece of jewelry.
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

4. What may have happened next?
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

5. The man may/may not have been caught .
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

6. Check here your guesses
• http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/man-tries-
to-steal-level-3/
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

7. What might have happened here?
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

8. Let’s speculate again.
• There might have been a protest against the
service at the train station.
• There may have been an inspection at the
station.
• People may have rescued someone trapped.
• People at the train station may have had an
accident.
• There might have happened an earthquake.
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

9. Check your guesses
• http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/peopl
e-help-a-man-level-3
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

10. • Are we speculating about the past or the
present?
• What form do we use to speculate about the
past?
• What is the form that we use to speculate
about the present?
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

11. Speculating about the past
Past Modals Certainty
AFFIRMATIVE
He must have + ____________ (p.p.) 95%
He may have + ____________ (p.p.)
He might have + ___________ (p.p.)
50%
He could have + ____________ (p.p.)
NEGATIVE
He can’t have + _____________ (p.p.)
He couldn’t have + ___________ (p.p.)
99%
He must not have + ___________ (p.p.) 95%
He may not have + ___________ (p.p)
He might not have + __________ (p.p.)
50 %
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz Source: http://azargrammar.com/materials/uueg/UUEG_TchrCreated.html Certainty Chart

12. Now you. Speculate about the following picture:
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

13. Write your guesses.
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz

14. Check your answers.
• http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/pig-on-
a-surfboard-level-3/
• Who was the closest?
Adapted by Gabriela Castillo Baéz