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A: Did you go anywhere during summer vacation, Jeff?

B: Actually, I went to Dubai.

A: Dubai? Wow! You must have seen some pretty cool cars there.

B: Yes, the cars were amazing.

The Perfect Infinitive

To use Modals of Certainty to describe the past, we use the Perfect Infinitive: Modal Verb + Have + Past Participle

sick kid

John didn't come to school yesterday. He must have been sick.

sunny

It was sunny with a clear sky yesterday. It can't have rained last night.

waking up

He might have woken up late. He still hasn't arrived.

guy with a phone

I can't contact her. She could have changed her phone number.

For the past participle of the verb, go, you may use been or gone in American English if you are describing something that is finished or completed. If you are explaining the present situation, we only use gone:

washroom

Where is Kazuko? She must have gone to the bathroom.
(She is in the bathroom now.)

kid going back from school

I don't think Beth is at school anymore. She could have gone home.
(She is at home now.)

pretty woman

Wow, Sarah has a really nice tan! She must have been / gone on holiday.
(She is not on holiday now.)

woman working with a coffee

Elena has a coffee. She must have been / gone to the restaurant.
(She is not in the restaurant now.)


Exercise

Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.

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