English grammar
Might / could have (maybe) vs can't have (impossible)
Say what might have happened, and what can't have happened.
From the scene He can't have gone home
In short
For a past possibility, use might have or could have + past participle. If it's impossible, use can't have, not mustn't have.
Your turn
Which one goes with maybe it happened?
Options: he might have slept on a bench · what could have happened? · he could have fallen into the fountain
Show answer
maybe it happened → he could have fallen into the fountain
How it works
For a possibility about the past, use might have or could have + past participle: he might have slept on a bench.
Good to know
When you're sure something did NOT happen, use can't have — never mustn't have: he can't have gone home.
maybe it happened he might have slept on a bench
Javi
I don't know. He might have slept on a bench?
No sé. ¿Habrá dormido en algún banco?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I don't know. (blank)?
Options: What could have happened · He might have slept on a bench · He could have fallen into the fountain
Show answer
Javi
I don't know. He might have slept on a bench?
No sé. ¿Habrá dormido en algún banco?
maybe it happened he could have fallen into the fountain
Nuria
Or he could have fallen into the fountain.
O se habrá caído en la fuente.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Or (blank).
Options: he might have slept on a bench · what could have happened · he could have fallen into the fountain
Show answer
Nuria
Or he could have fallen into the fountain.
O se habrá caído en la fuente.
question form what could have happened?
Nuria
What could have happened to Tomás?
¿Qué habrá pasado con Tomás?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) to Tomás?
Options: He could have fallen into the fountain · What could have happened · He might have slept on a bench
Show answer
Nuria
What could have happened to Tomás?
¿Qué habrá pasado con Tomás?
impossible (NOT mustn’t have) he can't have gone home
Your turn
What goes with he can't have gone home?
Options: impossible (NOT mustn’t have) · maybe it happened · maybe it happened
Show answer
he can't have gone home → impossible (NOT mustn’t have)
Common mistake
Not mustn't or doesn't here. Impossible, he's not home.
No, he can't have. Marisa says he hasn't come back.
No, imposible. Marisa dice que no ha vuelto.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| maybe it happened | he might have slept on a bench |
|---|---|
| maybe it happened | he could have fallen into the fountain |
| question form | what could have happened? |
| impossible (NOT mustn’t have) | he can't have gone home |
More lines from the story
- NuriaNo, he can't have. Marisa says he hasn't come back.No, imposible. Marisa dice que no ha vuelto.
- NuriaLook! He’s asleep on that bench!¡Mira! ¡Está durmiendo en ese banco!
- JaviWhat could he have done all night?¿Qué habrá hecho toda la noche?