Could have

Question

Hi,'...the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it is completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.'I can't understand the sentence due to the combination of the past'could have risen' and the present 'is'.Was the dam built,or is it going to be accomplished in the future?I feel there is something wrong here.Could you provide detailed explanation,please?Thanks.

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

nsfs2the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion,

but by the time it is completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.'

This is a good sentence. " Could have risen ...." is not past tense. The second underlined clause is a hypothetical future. The dam has not been completed as yet. There is nothing wrong with the tense and construction.

Nsfs2 · Answer

Can the same construction be used with the past to show an action unfulfilled?
For example,'...the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more if it wasn't for the efficient management of the project.

What would the difference be if the original sentence were'...the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by
the time it is completed this may/could/might rise to $75billion or more.'

I know that a modal+have+v3 structure is use for past possibilities and deduction.Could you elaborate more on using this this kind of structure for hypothetical future.Please provide examples,if possible.

Thanks.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

nsfs2For example,'...the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more if it wasn't for the efficient management of the project.

No, that won't work because the underline clearly stated the dam was completed such that the cost is already known, therefore, " this could have risen..." which is hypothetical, is not logical.

Nsfs2 · Answer

I need further elaboration on my other inquiries,please.

Nsfs2 · Answer

Hi,again,

Can 'could have+v3' be used for hypothetical future?I know it can be used for present and past situations.

In my original example '...by the time it is completed ...' refers to the future,I guess.

Please help me on this, and my previous inquiries.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

nsfs2,
Not only does the 'could have+v3' pattern work for hypothetical future, it also works in past and present contexts..
Ex: A mom is lecturing her son.You could have finished your homework and gone fishing with your dad had you not wasted two hours watching wrestling on TV. The could have+v3' form by itself is tenseless although it appears to be past. Its tense comes from the rest of the context associated with it, just like the "dam" example, which was a future context because the dam was still being constructed. One thing you should be aware though. When we used this pattern with an " if " clause, it becomes a 3rd conditional. Ex: Jacob could have graduated from UCLA last summer if he hadn't been injured by the accident coming home one night which left him in a coma for a month.

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Nsfs2 · Answer

Thanks,dimsumexpress.

I posted another question carrying the same inquiry-I wonder if you could have a look at that as well;it has to do with the same topic.

You examples are all 'if type 3'examples.I'd like to see 'could have' in future context.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

nsfs2You examples are all 'if type 3'examples.I'd like to see 'could have' in future context.

Take a look at these articles:

http://www.thepiratescove.us/2012/08/15/obamas-little-beer-junket-could-have-cost-business-owner-25k/

Obama’s Little Beer Junket Could Have Cost Business Owner $25k

voices of youth.org/posts/earth-day-a-reflection

Apr 23, 2012 – Imagine how much electricity you could have saved in a year. Do you prefer driving than walking on a short distance? Imagine the fuel you ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Peter_Nanos... 2005) to examine and supplement the Laboratory's procedures and practices. The shutdowns could have cost as much as US$367 million in lost work time [2].

Just like your original question, when a context involves variables, like costs, weather, or anything that can cause the outcome to change in the future, you may use the "could + have + past participle".

Ivanhr · Answer

nsfs2.the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it is completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.'

In my opinion, this is incorrect. You should say

The original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it is completed this could rise to $75 billion or more.

or (if the dam has already been completed)

The original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this rose/had risen to $75 billion or more.

or (if we're not sure about the actual price and want to speculate on it)

The original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.

Nsfs2 · Answer

Ivanhr nsfs2.the original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it is completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.'In my opinion, this is incorrect. You should sayThe original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it is completed this could rise to $75 billion or more.or (if the dam has already been completed)The original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this rose/had risen to $75 billion or more.or (if we're not sure about the actual price and want to speculate on it) The original cost of the dam was estimated at $25 billion, but by the time it was completed this could have risen to $75 billion or more.

Thanks, Ivanhr,for your contribution, but I am now more confused.I think we need more opinions on this.

Yes,what about 'could rise'?Would the meaning change?That's what I was asking a bout?

Could have

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