Quick Review: Modal Perfects, Cleft Sentences & Hedging

More B2 tools to keep sharp as you move into C1.

Notice

  • I should have called earlier. (regret)
  • It was the manager who approved the request. (it-cleft)
  • The plan appears to be working, though it’s hard to say for certain. (hedging)

Rule

Modal perfects (should have, needn’t have, could have) express regret, unnecessary past action, and missed possibility. Cleft sentences (it-clefts, what-clefts) add emphasis. Hedging language (seem to, tend to, it is said that) softens claims — all tools you will use constantly at C1, combined with new structures.

Practice

  1. Complete with regret: ‘I _____ (should / study) harder.’
    Answer: should have studied
  2. Rewrite as a what-cleft: ‘I need more time.’
    Answer: What I need is more time.
  3. Soften: ‘The plan will fail.’ (appear to)
    Answer: The plan doesn’t appear to be working.

Connect

One more review round before your C1 diagnostic quiz.

Try Sentence Builder →

CEFR: Reading and Writing — consolidating prior grammatical range.

Azizul Hakim
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