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Hung Sai Cheong Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Could be / Could have been

"Could it be the cause?"
"Could it have been the cause?"

Is there any difference between them or actually they are the same?
Cause in my view they are also referring the past,aren't they?
  

Top answer

" is normally only used of things that are happening or in existence now. You wouldn't normally say it of a historical event.

— GPY

  • " is normally only used of things that are happening or in existence now.
  • You wouldn't normally say it of a historical event.
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5 Answers
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"Could it be the cause?" is normally only used of things that are happening or in existence now. You wouldn't normally say it of a historical event.
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Thank you so much for your reply !! Emotion: smile

To decide using this two are rely on how long the event happened in the past from the
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The choice is not based specifically on length of time; it is more a question of whether the thing is still happening or relevant now. For example, if someone's computer keeps breaking down then you could suggest "What about overheating? Could that be the cause?". This is because the cause is presumed to be still (potentially) operating. However, if someone's computer stopped working earlier, but
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Hung Sai CheongIs there any difference between them or actually they are the same? Because in my view they are also both referring the past, aren't they?
They are not the same. They don't both refer to the past. It may help to think of them like this:

Could
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Hi GPY & CJ :

Now I understand:) I would consider it if an event is ended or not.
It's mush more easier to understand by this way.

Cheers @v@ One more score !!
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