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MSoni Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

could for past

pl. tell me is the sentence below correct.

In earlier times, sailors could be stranded in calm waters.
  

Top answer

MSoni In earlier times, sailors could be stranded in calm waters. That sounds OK, but we have a word for that: In earlier times, sailors could be becalmed.

— Mister Micawber

  • MSoni In earlier times, sailors could be stranded in calm waters.
  • That sounds OK, but we have a word for that: In earlier times, sailors could be becalmed.
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3 Answers
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MSoniIn earlier times, sailors could be stranded in calm waters.
That sounds OK, but we have a word for that:

In earlier times, sailors could be becalmed.
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Thanks. Pl tell me one more thing. Here if we replace could be with could have been, what difference would it make.
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MSoni Here if we replace could be with could have been, what difference would it make.
The sentence would become slightly clunkier.
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