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- We must have left early.If this sentence is correct what is the difference between that and "We had to leave early."?

Imantaghavi · Accepted Answer

Hi,

In the first one it is implied that "we didn't leave", whereas in the second one we did leave.
I'd appreciate others correcting me if I'm mistaken.

Cheers,

Iman

Anonymous · Answer

Hello Iman.
I'm not sure that your answer is correct.
I'm Iranian so I write my opinion in Persian:
I think sentence number 1 means : 1.?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? (?? ????????? ??? ?? ???? ??????)?
And I think sentence number 2 means : 2.?? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????
what do you think?

Imantaghavi · Answer

Hi Anon,

You're right about the first sentence. It is used to express certainty about past. But since it's been used with "we" it makes it a little complicated. I mean how come that you left and want to assure yourself?
About the second one I have to say that's right.

Hope it helps,

Iman

BarbaraPA · Answer

Anonymous-
We must have left early.
If this sentence is correct what is the difference between that and "We had to leave early."?

"We had to leave early" means that there was a reason for you to leave earlier than usual/than planned. Maybe you had another appointment. Maybe your babysitter had to get home.

"We must have left early" is an odd thing to say. Usually we say "He must have" or "You must have" to mean "I believe, based on what I know, that this is true." Like: You slept for 12 hours. You must have been very tired. Or: I left the note right on the table. He must have seen it. But surely you would know whether you left early or not. Maybe if you suffered some sort of memory loss, but it's not likely otherwise.

He had to leave early -- There was a reason he had to leave early.
He must have left early -- I didn't see him leave, but based on what else I know, it is most likely true.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much for the complete answer.

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