1. I would have liked Phuong to be here

When Paco says 'I would have liked Phuong to be here', he is using the perfect form of the modal would to indicate a missed opportunity.

The past conditional is expressed by using the modal 'would' before a past infinitive (= 'have' + past participle). This construction is used to express missed opportunities and past hypotheses:

She told me that she would have liked to come and see us.

 

In your position, I would have done the same thing.

 

It is also used in hypothetical constructions with 'if'. When 'if' is followed by the past perfect, the conditional past is expected in the second clause:

If you had told me the truth, I would have believed you.

In the case of should have + past participle there is a certain degree of obligation in the past on the part of the speaker.

I should have booked the junk in advance. (but you didn't do it)

Icono IDevice Listening activity

Listen to this song from the Beatles paying attention to the use of 'should have'.

 


 


Apart from the title there is another expression using should have, can you identify it? What function denotes this modal verb form?


Icono de iDevice Self-Assessment activity
Read the sentences below and fill in the verbs in brackets in the correct form.

1. If you had studied hard, you (pass) your exam.
2. He told me that he (like) to come to the USA with us.
3. If he hadn't worked all day long, he (be) happy to go to the pictures with you.

  

Icono IDevice Curiosity

Halong Bay features thousands of limestones karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. These are strange and amazing forms typical of pirate stories. Click here to know more about these fascinating formations and discover where in the world they are.

Halong Bay

 


In the next section we will continue with the perfect forms of other modal verbs.
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