must have called

USAGE SUMMARY

"must have called" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making an inference based on evidence that something has happened or been said. For example: "The phone rang twice, and then stopped. She must have called and hung up when she heard my voicemail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Someone must have called them.

Independent

U.C.L.A. must have called a maid.

The New York Times

"She must have called by accident.

The New Yorker

Mrs. McCracken must have called.

The New Yorker

"Charles must have called you," she said.

The New Yorker

They said I must have called it all those times," Mr. Keller said.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Her father must've called me ten times".

The New Yorker

He must've called the SEALs himself".

Huffington Post

Prince has long touted his relationship with his divine one, and the diminutive rock-funk icon must've called in a favor Sunday.

Los Angeles Times

The undertakers must already have called and removed the... removed the... removed it, because we're all now in the dining room, sitting on the three-piece suite.

The Guardian - Books

Consumers wanting VoIP service on mobile phones face another hurdle: The phones must have software called session-initiated protocol, which enables the digital exchange of voice data.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must have called" when you want to express a logical deduction or strong inference about a past event, based on available evidence. For example, "The lights are off; they "must have called" it a night early."

Common error

Avoid using "must have called" to refer to current or future events. This phrase indicates a past action. Instead, use "must call" or "needs to call" when referring to an action that is currently necessary. For example, instead of saying "He must have called now", say "He must call now" or "He needs to call now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must have called" functions as a modal construction expressing a strong inference or deduction about a past action. It combines the modal verb 'must' (indicating certainty or strong probability) with the perfect infinitive 'have called' (referring to a completed action in the past). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing inferences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must have called" is a versatile modal construction used to express a strong inference or logical deduction about a past action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that you are referring to a past event and that your inference is based on reasonable evidence. Avoid using "must of called", as this is grammatically incorrect. Consider alternatives like "had to have called" or "it's likely they called" to subtly alter the meaning or tone of your statement. Remember to use "must have called" when you want to confidently deduce a past event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must've phoned

Uses a more informal contraction of "must have", replacing "called" with the synonym "phoned".

had to have called

Expresses a slightly stronger sense of obligation or necessity, implying a compelling reason for the call.

it's likely they called

Shifts from a modal verb to an expression of probability, making it less direct.

it is probable that they called

Emphasizes the probability of the calling event.

it seems likely they called

Expresses a sense of likelihood from observed details.

i bet they called

Introduces an element of speculation or wagering on the event of calling.

i'm guessing they called

Conveys the speaker's act of guessing something.

i imagine they called

Implies the speaker's imagination that the act of calling occurred.

one can assume they called

Offers an impersonal assumption based on the limited clues available to the speaker.

chances are they called

Highlights the odds that a call happened.

FAQs

How can I use "must have called" in a sentence?

Use "must have called" to express a strong inference or deduction about a past event. For example: "The police arrived quickly, someone "must have called" them."

What does "must have called" mean?

It indicates that you believe someone definitely called in the past, based on the available evidence or information. It is a way of expressing a logical deduction about a past action.

What are some alternatives to "must have called"?

You can use alternatives like "had to have called", "it's likely they called", or "I bet they called" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is "must of called" grammatically correct?

No, "must of called" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "must have called". "Have" is the auxiliary verb that follows the modal verb "must" to indicate past possibility or deduction.