Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
"must + active verb" used for "logical deduction"
When it comes to "must" used logical deduction, in most of grammar books, we meet example sentences like these:
(a) You must be Mr. Brown.
(b) She must know where he lives.
(c) They must like skiing.
In these sentences, "must" is followed by the base form of "stative verbs."
But I think it is possible "must + active verb" is used for logical deduction, not for duty, responsibility, or prohibition.
e.g.
(d) Galilleo said, "Earth must move around the Sun."
(e) Look at his hair. He must not wash his hair even once a month.
(f) Gravity must pull things onto the surface of the Earth, Isaac Newton thought.
But an English teacher from Australia argues that (d), (e), and (f) "must" be chantged into "I'm sure that Earth moves ...," "I'm sure that he doesn't wash ...," and "I'm sure gravity pulls ...". I don't agree with him even though I don't speak English in real life.
Who do you think is right?
(a) You must be Mr. Brown.
(b) She must know where he lives.
(c) They must like skiing.
In these sentences, "must" is followed by the base form of "stative verbs."
But I think it is possible "must + active verb" is used for logical deduction, not for duty, responsibility, or prohibition.
e.g.
(d) Galilleo said, "Earth must move around the Sun."
(e) Look at his hair. He must not wash his hair even once a month.
(f) Gravity must pull things onto the surface of the Earth, Isaac Newton thought.
But an English teacher from Australia argues that (d), (e), and (f) "must" be chantged into "I'm sure that Earth moves ...," "I'm sure that he doesn't wash ...," and "I'm sure gravity pulls ...". I don't agree with him even though I don't speak English in real life.
Who do you think is right?
Top answer
Hi, Who do you think is right? You. Best wishes, Clive
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Whether the verb following "must" is stative or dynamic, "must" can be used to indicate 'the only possible conclusion is' or similar logical deductions. "Gravity must pull things to the surface of the earth" seems perfectly fine to me. And I have never heard that "I'm sure" could paraphrase this idea -- until now!
CJ
CJ
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