Deber + infinitive

ama s.C1Kwiziq community member

Deber + infinitive

Why is the answer "Debo enviar" wrong for this question ________ el enlace incorrecto.  I have probably sent the wrong link.  (HINT: Express strong assumption/supposition).  If I have understood the lesson correctly "deber + infiinitive" is used for obligation but is also accepted as a strong assumption.

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Ama 

In this case, "debo enviar" is incorrect because we are talking about something that happened in the past, therefore you need "debo haber enviado"/ "debo de haber enviado = I must have sent...

It's still showing an assumption but an assumption referring to the past, not the present.

I hope this clarifies it.

Saludos

Inma

Jerald W.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Would "Debí enviar" have been an acceptable answer if it were an option_

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Jerald

yes, you can say "debí enviar" too - for some reason it sounds more natural (and common) to say "debí haber enviado" using haber.

Saludos

ama s. asked:

Deber + infinitive

Why is the answer "Debo enviar" wrong for this question ________ el enlace incorrecto.  I have probably sent the wrong link.  (HINT: Express strong assumption/supposition).  If I have understood the lesson correctly "deber + infiinitive" is used for obligation but is also accepted as a strong assumption.

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