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Zuoping Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Cannot vs Could Not

Hi,

Are the the same ?

I cannot go swimming today.
I could not go swimming today.
  

Top answer

they are different because cannot means you're saying that you're not gonna able to go swimming (later), But could not means you're saying that you didn't get a chance to go swimming (earlier). Cannot is present tense. Could not is past tense.

— Verrivero

  • they are different because cannot means you're saying that you're not gonna able to go swimming (later), But could not means you're saying that you didn't get a chance to go swimming (earlier).
  • Cannot is present tense.
  • Could not is past tense.
  • For example, Present: I cannot go to your party because I have school tonight.
  • Past: I could not go to your party because I had school yesterday.
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3 Answers
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they are different because cannot means you're saying that you're not gonna able to go swimming (later), But could not means you're saying that you didn't get a chance to go swimming (earlier).

Cannot is present tense.
Could not is past tense.

For example,
Present:
I cannot go to your party because I have school tonight.

Past:
I could not go to your part
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