What are the equivalents for can't & must not for logical conclusions in Spanish? That is, how can I express the difference in meanings given in the following examples?
(present)
The restaurant can't be open - the door is locked
The restaurant must not be any good - it is always empty
(Past)
He had left the office at 6:00 p.m. He can't /couldn't have been at home at 6:05 p.m
She was not answering the doorbell. She must not have been at home then.
Regards,
Alexander
Hi Alexander,
For "The restaurant can't be open - the door is locked" you could say:
El restaurante no se puede abrir- La puerta está cerrada.
For "The restaurant must not be any good - it is always empty" you could say:
El restaurante no debe ser muy bueno - siempre está vacío.
For "He had left the office at 6:00 p.m. He can't /couldn't have been at home at 6:05 p.m you could say:
Él se había ido de la oficina a las 6. No puede haber estado en casa a las 6.05/No podía haber estado en casa a las 6.05.
For "She was not answering the doorbell. She must not have been at home then" you could say:
No contestaba al timbre. No debe de haber estado en casa entonces.
Saludos
Inma
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
Find your Spanish level