French language Q&A Forum

Is avoir à a possible alternative to devoir?

Which will be the better translation into French for the phrase "together with the coca, it must have made people feel good"?

(1) "avec la coca, ça les gens devait se sentir bien"; or

(2) "avec la coca, ça a dû faire que les gens se sentir bien"

Paul me fait mal  vs.  Elle me fait du mal quand elle dit ça.   I understand that du is for emotional pain and à is for physical pain, so why does the first example have neither?

Faillir de (rater, for example) is being used.  I have no problem with this usage, but wonder why presque is not used at all  -- e.g., j'ai presque rate as an alternative to j'ai failli rate.  Just curious.  Thanks!