Why can't I use must have for past obligations?
In present I can use should/must for obligations
But in past only should have works
Where must have is used for most probable thing in past. Why?
Top answer
user558 Why? As the English language has developed over the past 10 centuries, the system of modal verbs has become highly idiosyncratic. There is now often no way to predict why some constructions are used in a particular way where a similar construction is not, even when it seems it should.
- user558 Why?
- As the English language has developed over the past 10 centuries, the system of modal verbs has become highly idiosyncratic.
- There is now often no way to predict why some constructions are used in a particular way where a similar construction is not, even when it seems it should.
- Chalk it up to the whims of history.
- CJ
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user558Why?
As the English language has developed over the past 10 centuries, the system of modal verbs has become highly idiosyncratic. There is now often no way to predict why some constructions are used in a particular way where a similar construction is not, even when it seems it should.
Chalk it up to the whims of history.
0
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