j'ai dû, je dois

Paris K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

j'ai dû, je dois

Bonjour les gars et les experts


Au sujet de la frase, 'j'ai dû le lire trop vite!'  

Serait-ce possible de dire aussi 'je dois l'avoir lu trop vite!'?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi all,

To me, both sentences mean exactly the same -

I must have read it too quickly

I have read the word reference thread and it is so subtle I wouldn't worry about it!

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

This is similar to your previous question. 

https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/ca-a-du-etre-vs-ca-doit-avoir-ete

As I said then, I think it should be acceptable, but perhaps Cécile could confirm this.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think the two sentences speak of events in different times.

J'ai dû le lire trop vite. -- I must have read t too fast. (An event in the past)
Je dois l'avoir lu trop vite! -- I must have it read too fast. (A statement in the present.)

I think it is deceiving that the two English versions sound almost the same. Cécil's input would be appreciated.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Chris,

If you look at the other question I mentioned, I linked to a discussion on wordreference which has some input from a native French speaker.  The example discussed in that thread is almost the same as the one in this question.

By the way, "I must have it read too fast" doesn't work in English.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Alan,

yes, I realize the English is a bit warped. I intended the sentence to be parsed according to "I must have my Martinis shaken, not stirred". If you make the substitution of "shaken" --> "read to fast", you'll see what I mean.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

OK, I understand what you mean, although it would be odd to insist on something being "too fast", since that's implicitly bad. But perhaps you think the French sentence is also odd.

Did you read the wordreference thread? It explains that both constructions can describe either an obligation (in the past or future), or a supposition about the past. In this context, it's the supposition about the past that's relevant.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes, I read the wordreference thread. Interesting.

Paris K. asked:

j'ai dû, je dois

Bonjour les gars et les experts


Au sujet de la frase, 'j'ai dû le lire trop vite!'  

Serait-ce possible de dire aussi 'je dois l'avoir lu trop vite!'?

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