WARM-UP VIDEO FOR THE PERFECT MODAL: COULD'VE, SHOULD'VE

Instructions. When we talk about things that were possible but didn't happen in the past, we often use the so-called 'Modal perfect' (expressions like 'would have done': 'modal + have + the 3rd form of the verb). Listen and fill the gaps with examples of this form.

------------------------------------

Exercise. Complete each gap with suitable words and expressions you hear from the video.

This was all down to you. LESTRADE: 'Clever man, Inspector Prakesh.' Oh, what police inspector (1) ………….. THAT deduction?! Oh, thank you! You remember how Sherlock never took the credit when he solved all of your cases? that's um... that's some stuff from my office, some stuff of Sherlock's, actually. I probably (2) ………….. it out, but I didn't know if... No, fine, yeah. Yeah, there's...there's something here, um... I wasn't sure whether I (3) ………….. it in. You remember the video message he made for your birthday? I had to practically threaten him. It's quite funny. Oh, right. Maybe I (4) ………….. it.- Don't worry, it's OK. Probably won't even watch it. [CHUCKLES]

Key: Look at the key and say aloud the script from the video to improve your English.

This was all down to you. LESTRADE: 'Clever man, Inspector Prakesh.' Oh, what police inspector (1) (could have made) THAT deduction?! Oh, thank you! You remember how Sherlock never took the credit when he solved all of your cases? that's um... that's some stuff from my office, some stuff of Sherlock's, actually. I probably (2) (should have thrown) it out, but I didn't know if... No, fine, yeah. Yeah, there's...there's something here, um... I wasn't sure whether I (3) (should have kept) it in. You remember the video message he made for your birthday? I had to practically threaten him. It's quite funny. Oh, right. Maybe I (4) (shouldn't have brought) it.- Don't worry, it's OK. Probably won't even watch it. [CHUCKLES]

Sources: 

Channel: BBC. Sherlock Mini-Episode: Many Happy Returns - Sherlock Series 3 Prequel - BBC One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwntNANJCOE

---------------------------------------------

Compiled by Top Grade Edu