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Vkr6078 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

1. He couldn't be there (because I saw a few minutes ago here.)

It means it's impossible that he is there as I have just seen him here.

2. He can't be there. (because I saw a few minutes ago here.)

Can I use "2" in the same way as "1"?
  

Top answer

If you are assuming that he has not had time to arrive since you looked, yes. If he wasn't there then but might be now, you should say "He couldn't have been there".

— GPY

  • If you are assuming that he has not had time to arrive since you looked, yes.
  • If he wasn't there then but might be now, you should say "He couldn't have been there".
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6 Answers
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If you are assuming that he has not had time to arrive since you looked, yes. If he wasn't there then but might be now, you should say "He couldn't have been there".
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vkr6078Can I use "2" in the same way as "1"?
Yes. In fact, I think it's preferable. The first one indicates a small degree of self-doubt not present in the second one.

CJ
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Can I use "must not" instead of "can't/could't" in these kinds of sentences?
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vkr6078 Can I use "must not" instead of "can't/could't" in these kinds of sentences?
Yes, if you're speaking American English; otherwise, and even so, if I were in your place, I would avoid it.

CJ
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vkr6078 Can I use "must not" instead of "can't/could't" in these kinds of sentences?
For me, "He mustn't be there" would express the speaker's belief about the probable situation. This is different from your original scenario, where the speaker has direct knowledge (as I understood it).
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GPYFor me, "He mustn't be there" would express the speaker's belief about the probable situation. This is different from your original scenario, where the speaker has direct knowledge (as I understood it).
Ah. I reread the question, and I see what you mean.

vkr: This is a better explanation.

CJ
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