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Question

Difficulty: MediumModal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

Fill in the blank with the appropriate modal verb phrase to express criticism of a past action.

Answer:The lead regulator stressed that the telecommunications firm 【should not have】 implemented the tariff hike without prior approval from the communications commission.

Answer

should not have (or shouldn't have / ought not to have)
The modal phrase 'should not have' (or 'shouldn't have' / 'ought not to have') followed by the past participle 'implemented' is used to express criticism or regret regarding an action that took place in the past but was undesirable or against regulations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence to determine the intended modality.
The context describes a past action (implementing the tariff hike without prior regulatory approval) that took place but was improper or undesirable.
Expressing disapproval or criticism of a completed past action requires a past modal structure of obligation/advisability.
2
Select the correct modal auxiliary structure for past criticism.
The structure 'should not have + past participle' (or 'ought not to have + past participle') correctly indicates that a past event occurred, but it was wrong or contrary to protocol.
'Should not have implemented' conveys that the firm acted improperly in raising tariffs without prior permission.

Key Concept

Expressing past criticism and unfulfilled past obligation using modal perfect structures
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Modal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

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