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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Must have vs. must have had
John: Hello. Can I speak to Ana?
Susan: Sorry, there's no Ana here.
A. John: I'm sorry, I must have the wrong number.
B. John: I'm sorry, I must have had the wrong number.
1. Which response by John above is the natural thing to say?
2. What is the difference in meaning if both are possible?
Please advise. Thanks.
Susan: Sorry, there's no Ana here.
A. John: I'm sorry, I must have the wrong number.
B. John: I'm sorry, I must have had the wrong number.
1. Which response by John above is the natural thing to say?
2. What is the difference in meaning if both are possible?
Please advise. Thanks.
Top answer
1. -- A 2. -- B is possible, but more probably with a different verb more clearly indicating the past receipt: 'I have have been given the wrong number'.
- 1.
- -- A 2.
- -- B is possible, but more probably with a different verb more clearly indicating the past receipt: 'I have have been given the wrong number'.
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5 Answers
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1. Which response by John above is the natural thing to say?-- A
2. What is the difference in meaning if both are possible?-- B is possible, but more probably with a different verb more clearly indicating the past receipt: 'I have have been given the wrong number'.
2. What is the difference in meaning if both are possible?-- B is possible, but more probably with a different verb more clearly indicating the past receipt: 'I have have been given the wrong number'.
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Thank you for your explanation.
I must have been given the wrong number.
I have been given the wrong number.
4. So the answer in #3 is the same in meaning as "I
Mister Micawber'I have have been given the wrong number'.3. I'm sorry, I think there is a typo error here. Which of the following do you mean?
I must have been given the wrong number.
I have been given the wrong number.
4. So the answer in #3 is the same in meaning as "I
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Yes, sorry. It should read 'I must have been given the wrong number'.
4. So the answer in #3 is the same in meaning as "I must have had the wrong number" (past receipt).-- It is a clearer meaning. 'Have' relates to possession, and is ambiguous, a poor verb choice, in your sentence.
4. So the answer in #3 is the same in meaning as "I must have had the wrong number" (past receipt).-- It is a clearer meaning. 'Have' relates to possession, and is ambiguous, a poor verb choice, in your sentence.
00
OK, thanks so much for that clarification. This is more than clear to me now. 
00
They answer from the wrong number....NOW....then you say:...."Sorry, I must have the wrong number"..... NOW...when I'm calling...... "I must have had": suggests that I, now, may have the right number....
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