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Seagull Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Can't v.s. couldn't

Hello everyone. I have a question.

Regarding the following two sentences:

(A) I can't go with you tomorrow afternoon.

(B) I couldn't go with you tomorrow afternoon.

A study guide says that (A) is right but (B) is wrong, but I think (B) is also correct. I believe that although (A) and (B) are a little different in nuance, but they basically mean the same thing. What do you think?

  

Top answer

seagull What do you think? Given the choice, I'd say "can't". "couldn't" brings in unstated aspects of the situation.

— CalifJim

  • seagull What do you think?
  • Given the choice, I'd say "can't".
  • "couldn't" brings in unstated aspects of the situation.
  • (B) is grammatically correct, but without further context it seems to suggest one of the following: It would embarrass me to go with you tomorrow afternoon.
  • I would feel uncomfortable going with you tomorrow afternoon.
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1 Answers
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seagullWhat do you think?

Given the choice, I'd say "can't". "couldn't" brings in unstated aspects of the situation. (B) is grammatically correct, but without further context it seems to suggest one of the following:

It would embarrass me to go with you tomorrow afternoon.
I would feel uncomfortable going with you tomorrow afternoon.
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