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Linguaphile Posted 19 years ago
Linguistics Studies

must live

Hi, the one below is a post by Clive in another thread. As you well might have guessed, the use of "must live" attracted my attention. I wonder whether must be living or must have lived would be a better phrasing.


Hi,

I guess I must live a sheltered life, because I've never heard the expression European English before.

In my experience, many British people don't even think of themselves as part of Europe (ie the British Isles are just 'near Europe'.)

Best wishes, Clive

  

Top answer

> Why would you think that?

— Milky

  • > Why would you think that?
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3 Answers
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<I wonder whether must be living or must have lived would be a better phrasing.>

Why would you think that?
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Both the original and your two suggestions are fine. When there's a chance for ambiguity between the meanings of must, the use of the progressive can sometimes block the "have to" or "obligation" meaning, but here the situation does not require it.

CJ
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Milky
<I wonder whether must be living or must have lived would be a better phrasing.>

Why would you think that?

I found it hard to consider "must live" as a deduction. (This is what Jim addressed.) It seemed to me some continuity or completeness must have been
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