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daagh
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 18 Jan 2017, 09:12
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A is particularly wrong because we don't use a plural verb - have stayed up- for the singular Michelle. However -must have stayed up- is perfectly usable for both singular and plural subjects. It may also be noted that the modal 'must have' does not connote any tense. In this case specifically, -must have stayed up- definitely occurred before M fell asleep in the class and the professor assumed a cause for the same.
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 19 Jan 2017, 00:31
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AR15J
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Usage of Present Perfect Tense or Past Perfect tense. Two events are specified in the question where one is before the other and hence Past Perfect tense seems appropriate. However there is no answer option with the past perfect tense (without errors) . Also the time frame is not mentioned in the question which makes the use of present perfect tense also appropriate. Kindly advise !!

Both your posts are very clear and logical. I agree with your points.

Hi sayantanc2k,

I rejected the choice C as it changes the meaning of the original sentence. Original choice shows the possibility while choice C shows the certainty. To me, no choice seemed to be correct. so, I end up selecting A; however, I knew that there should be past perfect instead of present perfect in choice A.

Please advise how to select one choice between two when both seems to be incorrect.
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A is wrong because of faulty S-V agreement. "Michelle" is singular, but "have stayed" is plural.

It has not been mentioned in any official guideline that the correct answer must retain the meaning of the original sentence. If there is only one grammatically correct choice, it must be selected even when it deviates in meaning from the original. However if there are two grammatically correct sentences, select the one that agrees with the intended meaning of the original sentence.
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 19 Dec 2017, 13:49
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Merged topics. Please, search before posting questions!
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 15 Aug 2018, 21:20
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subjuctive mood show an unreal action and modal such as must, could, can ..can be used to show subjuctive mood. must have done is a kind of subjuctive mood and show some thing is likely to happen in the past.

modal also can be used to show other meaning (beside subjuctive mood), such as habit, possibility, ability and other.
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 15 Aug 2018, 22:44
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daagh
A is particularly wrong because we don't use a plural verb - have stayed up- for the singular Michelle. However -must have stayed up- is perfectly usable for both singular and plural subjects. It may also be noted that the modal 'must have' does not connote any tense. In this case specifically, -must have stayed up- definitely occurred before M fell asleep in the class and the professor assumed a cause for the same.
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Hi Daagh,

I selected the correct answer but my confusion is - sentence has mentioned time frame (last night). Then how present perfect tense is correct in option C or I am missing something.

Please help me in cementing my understanding.

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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 16 Aug 2018, 00:33
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A is particularly wrong because we don't use a plural verb - have stayed up- for the singular Michelle. However -must have stayed up- is perfectly usable for both singular and plural subjects. It may also be noted that the modal 'must have' does not connote any tense. In this case specifically, -must have stayed up- definitely occurred before M fell asleep in the class and the professor assumed a cause for the same.
Hi Daagh,

I selected the correct answer but my confusion is - sentence has mentioned time frame (last night). Then how present perfect tense is correct in option C or I am missing something.

Please help me in cementing my understanding.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
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Here, "must have" should be treated as an assumption, not as a present perfect tense.


She fell asleep in class so the professor assumed that she had stayed up late last night.

I hope this comment is useful.

Sent from my ONE A2003 using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
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The professor assumed that Michelle probably have stayed up late last 11 Aug 2023, 05:08
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