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Ana poland Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Must
hi, I want to ask if the following use of the modal verb 'must' is ok:
The meaning of the word must have not been known to the translator.
I used the verb 'must ' to express a conclusion but I was told that I should use 'can'' instead. I really appreciate a native speaker's opinion as this sentence goes to my B.A. dissertation:)
T.I.A.
The meaning of the word must have not been known to the translator.
I used the verb 'must ' to express a conclusion but I was told that I should use 'can'' instead. I really appreciate a native speaker's opinion as this sentence goes to my B.A. dissertation:)
T.I.A.
Top answer
ana poland The meaning of the word must have not been known to the translator. I used the verb 'must ' to express a conclusion but I was told that I should use 'can' ' instead. S.
- ana poland The meaning of the word must have not been known to the translator.
- I used the verb 'must ' to express a conclusion but I was told that I should use 'can' ' instead.
- S.
- we often use must not have (been known) for that meaning (negative conclusion), and I prefer it in your sentence, but some speakers of English much prefer cannot have (been known) .
- To be safe, use cannot have .
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1 Answers
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ana polandThe meaning of the word must have not been known to the translator.In the U.S. we often use must not have (been known) for that meaning (negative conclusion), and I prefer it in your sentence, but some spe
I used the verb 'must ' to express a conclusion but I was told that I should use 'can'' instead.
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