Strong Obligation in English?

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Strong Obligation in English?

When we talk about "Strong Obligation" for the past obligation we use "Should have", why don't we use "Must have".
As in present situation we use "Must" to show strong obligation.

2007-03-04 19:59:54 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages

3 answers

The modal verb 'must' does not possess a past tense like 'musted' - instead of which 'should have' is used. 'Must have' means something quite different.

2007-03-04 20:39:06 · answer #1 · answered by JJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Good question. Interesting fact, isn't it? "Must have" means a strong possibility that took place in the past instead of a strong obligation like "must" in the present.

2007-03-04 20:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋

'should have' says we we didn't though we were supposed to

2007-03-04 20:05:47 · answer #3 · answered by Charles V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋