Erin Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Look at this sentence: Kathy's office is dark, the coffee on her desk is cold, and her answering machine shows seven unheard messages. Kathy must not have come in to the office yet. This usage of "must" is what we call "logical inference" or "logical conclusion." When we draw a conclusion based on information, we can use must. For example, if Sally has left the house, but the radio is still on, we can say "She must have forgotten." If we see somebody who has just come back from a long day at work with no break, we can say "You must be tired." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaya Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Kathy must not have come in to the office yet. I know what 'must' means and it's OK... but I was taught that for negative deduction we use can't and 'must not' means prohibition... Is it true? Or I was taught wrong things? Thanks, Renata Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted August 21, 2002 Author Share Posted August 21, 2002 Are you sure this is the rule you learned? "could have done it" (possibility) and "could NOT have done it" (logical conclusion) have different meanings, but must/must not do not. In fact, it's quite common to use negative "must" for conclusions about "negative" things: Jo hasn't said anything to me yet. She must not know it's my birthday. That makes sense to you, right? Erin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaya Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 Are you sure this is the rule you learned? Yes, I am sure. I checked 4 grammar books I have. All of them tell the same: mustn't = prohibition, not allowed, very bad idea. "could have done it" (possibility) and "could NOT have done it" (logical conclusion) I have never heard about it. I think I am lost. Again. I love English but I also hate it. There are so many variants of it! English English, American English, TOEFL English, Written English, Spoken English, Internet English, (in)formal English, lawyer English, newspaper English, slang English, Bush English, native English, foreign English... Ah... Renata Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted August 21, 2002 Author Share Posted August 21, 2002 Originally posted by Vaya ... Bush English ...But at least this English makes us laugh!! :p :D :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atnoon Posted August 21, 2002 Share Posted August 21, 2002 What is "Bush English" mean? English spoken by Bush (the US president)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted August 22, 2002 Author Share Posted August 22, 2002 Yeah, I think that's what Renata meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emil_diankov Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 Dear friends, Could you tell me plese why in the sentence: [While their] name [implies] [that] are whales, pilot whales [are] actually dolphins. the right answer is B? name - 3th singular? emil_diankov@yahoo.com Thank you in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaya Posted August 28, 2002 Share Posted August 28, 2002 Could you tell me plese why in the sentence: [While their] name [implies] [that] are whales, pilot whales [are] actually dolphins. the right answer is B? This post should be in toefl grammar section. Next time be sure to post your posts in the wright forum. I believe that the answer isn't B, the answer is C. That -> that they. We miss a subject in the that-clause, don't we? Renata Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrutZle Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 Originally posted by emil_diankov [While their] name [implies] [that] they are whales, pilot whales [are] actually dolphins. They is missing name is singluar because you're talking about a group, not the individuals as in "their names are Tom, John and Annie" Because you're talking about whales (more than one) you say their and are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kongo09 Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 If I am not mistaken, dolphins are whales anyway (but not fish) kongo09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayaly Posted March 16, 2004 Share Posted March 16, 2004 I also think that "they" is missing here. But, Emo, why do you think that the anwer is B? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iconoclast Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but : "could have done it" (possibility) and "could NOT have done it" (logical conclusion) "I could have done it" = "There is a possibility that I have done it." (If something is possible, it may or may not happen. "There is a possibility that we will not have school tomorrow because of heavy snow.") "I could NOT have done it" = "There is NO possibility that I have done it." (If something is NOT possible (impossible), there is NO way it will happen.) Maybe that would help. On a side note, let's not forget Arnold Schwarzenneger's (spelling?) quote : "To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, Don't be economic girlie men!" –at the Republican convention Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somu Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Good work guys ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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