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Knightofsports Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Can't/couldn't

I think if you have a dent on your face, couldn't you rebuild the dent with your own skin?

Or

I think if you have a dent on your face, can't you rebuild the dent with your own skin?

Are both okay? Should I back shift to rebuilt if I use couldn't?

Thanks!
  

Top answer

"couldn't you rebuilt" is not grammatically possible. "can't you rebuild" and "couldn't you rebuild" are both possible, with the latter feeling more hypothetical. However, the two parts of this particular sentence do not quite fit together properly whichever you use (the structure would pass in conversation, but doesn't stand up to scrutiny when written down).

— GPY

  • "couldn't you rebuilt" is not grammatically possible.
  • "can't you rebuild" and "couldn't you rebuild" are both possible, with the latter feeling more hypothetical.
  • However, the two parts of this particular sentence do not quite fit together properly whichever you use (the structure would pass in conversation, but doesn't stand up to scrutiny when written down).
  • "dent" is also an odd word to use in this situation.
  • It sounds humorous perhaps.
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1 Answers
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"couldn't you rebuilt" is not grammatically possible. "can't you rebuild" and "couldn't you rebuild" are both possible, with the latter feeling more hypothetical. However, the two parts of this particular sentence do not quite fit together properly whichever you use (the structure would pass in conversation, but doesn't stand up to scrutiny when written down). "dent" is also an odd word to use in
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