How to use the modal of deduction "can't"?
I texted Sarah to call me. If Sarah hasn't contacted me and I say "She can't have got my message" does it mean that I am sure that she didn't get my message. If it does how to say that I am certain (100% sure) that it wasn't possible for her NOT to get my message?
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Answers · 3
2
"She can't have/couldn't have got my message" - the message was important and you are surprised or concerned that she has not responded but you are not absolutely certain whether your message got through to her. Your tone of voice will probably indicate some uncertainty or anxiety.
Later you hear that her phone was not working so she "couldn't have" got your message. "After all my worry about her not replying, her phone was broken and she couldn't have got my message".
This time you are certain because you know her phone was broken and she was not just ignoring you!
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She didn't get my message.
This version is just a little bit stronger. It is in the past simple, so it makes the sentence's meaning more clear.
She definitely got my message.
This would be the best way to say that she successfully received the message.
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She should have got my message.
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