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PreciousJones Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Broken up

My friend tells me that her bf broke up and cheated on her with another guy.

I say to her:

I can't imagine anybody doing that to you. You're perfect. Or

I couldn't imagine anybody doing that to you. You're perfect.

Does couldn't make the statement seem more impossible?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

PreciousJones Does couldn't make the statement seem more impossible? No. It doesn’t really matter which one you use.

— RandomGuy

  • PreciousJones Does couldn't make the statement seem more impossible?
  • No.
  • It doesn’t really matter which one you use.
  • I’d probably say can’t .
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3 Answers
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PreciousJonesDoes couldn't make the statement seem more impossible?
No. It doesn’t really matter which one you use. I’d probably say can’t.
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Aspara Gus PreciousJonesDoes couldn't make the statement seem more impossible?No. It doesn’t really matter which one you use. I’d probably say can’t.
Hi, Happy holidays, so why are there two ways of saying it if there's not difference? Could you please explain. Thank you.
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I can’t imagine anybody doing that to you.
= I am unable to imagine anybody doing that to you.

I couldn't imagine anybody doing that to you.
= I would not be able to imagine anybody doing that to you if I tried to.


The difference is subtle and irrelevant. The message is the same in both sentences. That’s why I said it didn’t matter which o
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