Questions tagged [could]
44 questions
3
votes
2 answers
I could hear something rattling/rattle
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Huddleston and Pullum) says under the section "Past time could" at page 197 that it is possible to say
(1) I could hear something rattling. [actualised ability (says CGEL)]
but not possible to…
JK2
- 6,553
2
votes
1 answer
In this sentence, "could" what meaning does it have?
"I sought only to open your eyes to the world we could create together."
In this phrase, does "could" refer to the past or is it a possibility about something that could happen in the future? The verb "sought" creates some confusion because that is…
Ben
- 23
2
votes
1 answer
How to use 'could'
I actually called her, but before I could finish my sentence she cut me off and told me that she was pregnant.
In this sentence, I can't understand why 'could' is needed. How about just 'finished'?
jihoon
- 125
1
vote
1 answer
what happened vs what could have happened?
What is the difference between 'what happened?' and 'what could have happened?
1) I couldn't see Gina last month. Do you know what happened to her? (or Do you know what could have happened to her?)
2) I couldn't see Gina last month. What happened to…
Elaung
- 169
0
votes
2 answers
Please help me to explain that why " could " is used here
I was really tired of my old roommate. She could be so mean.
I thought that could in this sentence means was able to do.
0
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COULD vs. COULD HAVE when talking about the past
I have long had difficulty distinguishing between COULD and COULD HAVE. I have two specific examples that I'm not exactly sure of. Could you enlighten me?
She needed money so much, she could even have worked in a KFC restaurant
Jim could’ve…
Caesar
- 23
0
votes
1 answer
Speculating about past using could
Is the following sentence correct
"could messi have scored that goal?"
PiyushK
- 5
0
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Couldn't and would
I read a quote from "House of cards" that went like: "You're are my best friend, John. I couldn't have it off with my best friend. It would be embarrassing."
Is it of any difference if I change "couldn't" to "can't" and "would" to "will"?
I tried…
daniellei
- 93
0
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1 answer
Could vs c̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ may not?
I've seen situations in which they said these phrases:
"[...] That could be dead or may not be" (Jim Carrey's phrase in a Series of Unfortunate events)
"(=if we had one, it could or it may not be expensive)" (a specific grammar book by Cambridge…
