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Question

Difficulty: MediumModal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

The lead defense counsel argued that since the defendant was out of the country on the night of the burglary, he __________ committed the crime. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

  1. could not haveAnswer
  2. B
    might not can have
  3. C
    must not to have
  4. D
    should not had

Answer

The correct choice is 'could not have', which logically expresses negative deduction about a past situation.
The modal phrase 'could not have' accurately conveys logical impossibility in the past given the conclusive evidence that the defendant was abroad during the event.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The premise states the defendant was physically outside the country, establishing that committing the crime was impossible.
Modal selection depends on expressing past logical impossibility.
2
Identify the proper modal structure for past impossibility
The structure 'could not have + past participle' expresses negative deduction in the past.
Standard English grammar requires 'could not have' followed by the past participle 'committed'.
3
Eliminate ungrammatical option structures
Options featuring double modals ('might not can'), incorrect infinitive markers ('must not to have'), or past form mismatch ('should not had') are invalid.
Modal verbs cannot take to-infinitives, double modal combinations, or past tense auxiliary forms.

Key Concept

Modal Auxiliaries for Past Logical Deduction
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Modal Auxiliaries and Expressing Modality

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