Learn English – “Must have been + present participle” usage

tenses

How can I express below idea in just one sentence?

Someone is coming. We are not sure about it. But strong possibility is there.
And we assume that he is coming. But not yet reached here. We don't know the current position of his travel.

So can I say about his coming like this?

He must have been coming.

Best Answer

No. The sentence you have created expresses the past tense. "He must have been coming" means that you assume he was coming at some time in the past, but the action is not completed.

What you can say is "he must be coming" or "he must be on his way". The word "must" used in this sense is not as absolute as it may seem. It simply implies that you are assuming something is true.