mustn't, needn't, can't

有读者问: 请解释一下为什么must的否定式有时是mustn't,有时是needn't,有时却是can't?

表“不可”、“不应该”、“不许可”等应用mustn't, 如:

(1)You mustn't do that.

(2)You mustn't speak like that to your mother.

(3)You mustn't cross the border.

表must的反义词应用needn't,如:

(4)—Must he come?

—No, he needn't .

(5)—Must I sign this?

—No, you needn't .

表“推测”时,肯定结构用must,否定结构用can't,如:

(6)He must have lost his way. (肯定结构)

(7)He can't have lost his way. (否定结构)