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Deber Present Perfect Practice

Deber (must, should, to owe) in the present perfect: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

•14 exercises•Regular -er•B1 – B2 level
IWhat to watch for

The present perfect of deber is haber plus debido: he debido, has debido, ha debido, hemos debido, habéis debido, han debido. It is less frequent than debería or tener que, but it appears in two useful patterns.

First, obligations within a period that reaches the present: este mes he debido trabajar todos los sábados. Second, deber de + infinitive as a guess about something recent: he debido de dejar las llaves en el coche, I must have left my keys in the car.

IIConjugation
deberPresent Perfect
yo
he debido
tú
has debido
él / ella / usted
ha debido
nosotros
hemos debido
vosotros
habéis debido
ellos / ustedes
han debido
Fully regular in every tense, conjugated like comer; as a modal verb it has no everyday commands, so that tense is left out.

Download the deber conjugation worksheet (PDF) — free, with answer key

42 exercises on deber across 7 tenses on one printable worksheet: each tense opens with its conjugation table, and the answer key with short explanations is at the end. Fits A4 and US Letter. Free for classroom use — no sign-up.

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IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

No encuentro las llaves; _____ de dejarlas en el coche. (deber)

I can't find my keys; I must have left them in the car.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Unfinished period
Fill in the blank

Este año tú _____ viajar mucho por trabajo, ¿no? (deber)

You've had to travel a lot for work this year, haven't you?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

El vecino no ha salido en todo el día; _____ de ponerse enfermo. (deber)

The neighbour hasn't gone out all day; he must have fallen ill.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Unfinished period
Fill in the blank

Esta semana _____ quedarnos hasta tarde en la oficina todos los días. (deber)

This week we've had to stay late at the office every day.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

Los niños están muy callados; _____ de dormirse. (deber)

The children are very quiet; they must have fallen asleep.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Unfinished period
Fill in the blank

Este mes yo _____ trabajar todos los sábados por la mudanza de la empresa. (deber)

This month I've had to work every Saturday because the company is moving.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

Tienes la cara roja; _____ de tomar demasiado sol. (deber)

Your face is red; you must have had too much sun.

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Él/ella form
Fill in the blank

Últimamente mi padre _____ cuidar de mi abuela casi a diario. (deber)

Lately my father has had to look after my grandmother almost every day.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

Nos _____ de equivocar de calle; esto no es el número doce. (deber)

We must have got the wrong street; this isn't number twelve.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Unfinished period
Fill in the blank

Este año los agricultores _____ enfrentarse a una sequía terrible. (deber)

This year farmers have had to face a terrible drought.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Vosotros form
Fill in the blank

Os _____ de perder por el camino; habéis tardado muchísimo. (deber)

You (all) must have got lost on the way; you've taken ages.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Hoy
Fill in the blank

Hoy yo _____ repetir la presentación tres veces porque fallaba el proyector. (deber)

Today I've had to repeat the presentation three times because the projector kept failing.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Conjecture about the past
Fill in the blank

El cartero _____ de pasar ya; hay cartas en el buzón. (deber)

The postman must have been already; there are letters in the letterbox.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

_____ de trabajar mucho hoy; tienes cara de cansado. (deber)

You must have worked a lot today; you look tired.

Every answer is explained

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