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help needed
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noeneo
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I am in line with
Bruce �s statement :( "Tom mustn �t have fixed the fax machine yet")
in this sentence means negative... its is a kind of degrees of certainty...
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8 Feb 2012
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zafirka
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Hi there!
with �must � we express affirmative deduction. He must have come this way, here are his footprints. So, seeing his footprints I �m sure..
However, if you want to express the opposite, the negative deduction, use can �t or couldn �t because they mean the lack of ability.
He can �t have moved it himself, it �s too heavy.
it �s also possible: He couldn �t have moved it himself, it �s too heavy.
Finally, I must admit I �ve never used �mustn �t have fixed � structure or someting like that. I suppose it doesn �t exist.. :)
my best wishes
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8 Feb 2012
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alinasajerli
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I �d say "Tom couldn �t have fixed the fax machine yet."
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8 Feb 2012
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Amandina
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@ Bruce
I thought that "must not" always implies a prohibition, but I must have gotten it wrong then. Thank you for clarifying that!!
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8 Feb 2012
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yanogator
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The "mustn �t have fixed" structure definitely does exist and is more common (in the US, at least) than "can �t have fixed". I realized after I wrote the first reply that we say "must not" more often than "mustn �t". It is also used in positive deductions or reasonable assumptions.
I see 10 umbrellas in the hall. It must be raining.
People are still coming in with umbrellas. The rain must not have stopped yet.
Your daughter had a baby? You must be so excited!
I can see the dog in the back yard. I must not have closed the door properly.
Bruce
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8 Feb 2012
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