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 Sun Nov 12, 2006 13:25 pm You must not know about me |
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Hi Torsten
| Torsten wrote: | You must not know about me.
Technically, it means "You are not allowed to know about me." |
I don't agree with that statement. 
| Torsten wrote: | But it seems, it can also mean "You obviously don't know me."
Would you agree? |
Yes, the word must is used to indicate high probablility or a logical conclusion as well as necessity or obligation:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=52646&dict=CALD
Your second interpretation of must is also normal, standard usage.
Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7450
Location: Northeast US
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| Sun Nov 12, 2006 13:36 pm You must not know about me |
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Hi, Torsten!
As I see it may also mean
"Probably you don't know what happens with me", as in the sentence
"There is something strange about the way things are going here", or "There's something wrong about him".
That's just my humble opinion and it can be mistaken. |
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moniker
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 34
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| Sun Nov 12, 2006 22:07 pm You must not know about me |
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| Thorsten, I largely agree with you about the first meaning but I would change the wording of the interpretation to 'You (should not) (best not) know about me'. This means that it is best for you or me or both of us if you don't know about my situation. Your knowing about my situation could lead to trouble. |
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canadian45
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 184
Location: canada
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Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7450
Location: Northeast US
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| Small or little possibility? | Short form for the name 'Harrison' |
