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must have been vs may have been

Both "must have been" and "may have been" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Must have been" is used to express a strong possibility or likelihood that something happened in the past, while "may have been" is used to express a possibility or likelihood without certainty.

Last updated: March 06, 2024 • 712 views

must have been

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a strong possibility or likelihood that something happened in the past.

Use "must have been" when you are certain or very confident that something happened in the past. It indicates a high degree of probability.

Examples:

He must have been at home when the incident occurred.
She must have been the one who left the door unlocked.
They must have been mistaken about the time of the meeting.

Show examples from the web [+]

Feb 11, 2014 ... Must have been can have two meanings— it depends on the text. Must have p.p. doesn't always mean that, for instance, something did not ...
Mar 4, 2009 ... ... is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Mar 4, 2009. Music video by Roxette performing It Must Have Been Love.
"It Must Have Been Love" is a song written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The ballad became the duo's third #1 hit in the United ...
"The experts from the London Zoo thought that this puma must have been in the possession of a private collector and somehow managed to ...

Alternatives:

definitely was
certainly was
undoubtedly was
clearly was
obviously was

may have been

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or likelihood without certainty.

Use "may have been" when you are suggesting a possibility or likelihood that something happened in the past, but you are not certain. It indicates a lower degree of probability compared to "must have been."

Examples:

He may have been delayed in traffic.
She may have been the one who called you.
They may have been confused about the instructions.

Show examples from the web [+]

Also, there may have been an encounter with somebody who can stop time.
Adam may have been a sloppy writer, Nbut he had excellent sources.
Your perception of what happened may have been distorted.
Officer safety may have been compromised.
So he may have been there the night before.
The crime scene may have been altered to give that impression.
My box and those of my friends may have been rifled.
Shock is more likely, though cardiac arrest may have been a factor.
It may have been another agency targeting me through him.
Forensics says there may have been a struggle.
Wilson George may have been cleared.
Militia units may have been uniformed in blue.
Many traditional designs may have been lost.
Ignorance may have been your best defense.
Whatever you may have been told.
Both views may have been true.
The show may have been canceled.
There may have been select details.
Like lex may have been a little bit more than a mentor.
He may have been out of my sight for a few minutes.

Alternatives:

might have been
could have been
possibly was
potentially was
likely was

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