Monday, October 22, 2018

american english - Problem understanding " must"

From the book : English Grammar and Exercises by L. R. H. Chapman, book 4:



"must is a defective verb, with only this one part, which is used to speak about the present time or a near future, as in these sentences: I must answer this letter at once; I must get up early tomorrow."



But then it is used in the both following examples with the past tense.




I really don't understand. Could you explain, please?



"After dinner Mr. Drew told the girls that he must leave
the hotel for a few hours."
(The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene)



"The chimes of a clock warned Nancy that she must return
to the car to meet her father. "



(The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene)

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