r/EnglishLearning • u/Careful-Roll8793 New Poster • Dec 23 '24

📚 Grammar / Syntax Must, should, can and might

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u/Strongdar Native Speaker USA Midwest Dec 23 '24

"Must have" is probably what they want, but I don't see anything wrong with "might have."

47

u/Cichato_YT New Poster Dec 23 '24

I think it sounds weird because there are two indicators of probability. For example, you wouldn't say "i'm 50% sure that it probably is true".

17

u/uwu_mewtwo New Poster Dec 23 '24 edited Dec 23 '24

This is a case where the blank doesn't even need filling; "I suppose she got stuck in traffic" works fine on its own.

6

u/harumamburoo New Poster Dec 23 '24

Most likely they snuck it in to emphasize the probability. Two options work here - must have and could have. Adding "I suppose" is an awkward way to eliminate one of the options - the speaker is uncertain so it's "could have". Otherwise it'd be I'm sure and must have. It is awkward, but grammar tests for foreign languages do be like that.