1. Past modals for judgments and suggestions

2. When we judge past actions we use:
should (n´t) have

3. should (n´t) have
We use should (n´t) have when we give an opinion or judgement about a past situation: Jessica: I didn´t study for the exam. Me: You should´ve studied. It was 50 points. I´m judging Jessica because she didn´t study.

4. The formula when judging past actions is…
subject
should have
shouldn´t have
verb in
past participle
complement
He should have studied more.
He (study more)
They shouldn´t have drunk that much.
They (drink that much)
Lucy should have arrived early.
Lucy (arrive early)
Alex shouldn´t have said that.
Alex (say that)

5. When suggesting alternative past actions we use:
could (n´t) have
would (n´t) have

6. would (n´t) have
We use would (n´t) have when we are imagining a hypothetical situation happening to us and doing something different:
Jessica: I forgave my boyfriend.
Me: I wouldn´t have forgiven him. =
If I were Jessica, I wouldn’t have forgiven him.

7. could (n´t) have
We use could (nt´t) have when we are suggesting a hypothetical past possibility:
Jessica: My boyfriend was sad and I didn´t ask him why.
Me: You could have shown more empathy. =
You had the chance to show empathy but you didn´t.

8. The formula for suggesting alternative past actions is…
complement
subject
could (n´t) have
would (n´t) have
verb
in past participle
She could have told the truth.
She (tell the truth)
I wouldn´t have lent him the car.
I (lend him the car)
Carmen couldn´t have been more discreet.
Carmen (be more opportune)
I would have finished it at home.
I (would finish it at home )