Verb tense?

Question

What verb tense should I use? Highlighted are incorrect verb tenses.

The scarlet "A" must be a very confusing concept to young Pearl, Hester's illegitimate child. The "A" originally must have been just a beautiful shape to young Pearl before she could even read.

Thanks in advance,
-Dave

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Please I really need help!
-Dave

CalifJim · Answer

Why can't you use either must have been or would have been or was for both?

There are no "correct" tenses. Many different tenses can be used.

Suppose we just take a shortened form of your first sentence. You can use any of these, and these are just a few possibilities. There are others:

That is a very confusing concept.
That was a very confusing concept.
That will be a very confusing concept.
That can be a very confusing concept.
That would be a very confusing concept.
That could be a very confusing concept.
That must be a very confusing concept.
That might be a very confusing concept.
That must have been a very confusing concept.
That might have been a very confusing concept.

Maybe that's why people haven't answered. Either it's not clear what you need, or the question is too broad.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot, I didn't know that it was a broad question.
Again thanks for the help.
-Dave

Verb tense?

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