Henryh Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
negative deduction
Hello again,
I have a question about negative deductions about present events.
I know this sentence is correct: You can't be hungry. You have just had lunch.
But can I use verbs other than 'be' to imply negative deduction about present events?
Eg: You can't know my brother. He lives abroad. (It is impossible that you know my brother.)
He can't have two brothers. I am sure he has only one. (It is impossible that he has two.)
They can't live in the same block as I live. I have never seen either of them. (It is impossible that we live in
the same block.)
Etc.
Thanks.
Henry
I have a question about negative deductions about present events.
I know this sentence is correct: You can't be hungry. You have just had lunch.
But can I use verbs other than 'be' to imply negative deduction about present events?
Eg: You can't know my brother. He lives abroad. (It is impossible that you know my brother.)
He can't have two brothers. I am sure he has only one. (It is impossible that he has two.)
They can't live in the same block as I live. I have never seen either of them. (It is impossible that we live in
the same block.)
Etc.
Thanks.
Henry
Top answer
Hi, Yes. All your examples are fine. Best wishes, Clive
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