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Vladv Posted 8 years ago
Grammar
Could have behaved
«I think only English people could have behaved so oddly as you, in postponing your marriage without reason for two mortal years.»
Dear native speakers, can't understand the use of Could have behaved, is it a part of third conditional ? I can't see it . Why can't I say " could behave " with the same meaning
Dear native speakers, can't understand the use of Could have behaved, is it a part of third conditional ? I can't see it . Why can't I say " could behave " with the same meaning
Top answer
"could have behaved" is talking about possibility in the past. "could behave" is talking about possibility in the present, or general possibility (at any time). In your sentence there is no significant implied condition.
- "could have behaved" is talking about possibility in the past.
- "could behave" is talking about possibility in the present, or general possibility (at any time).
- In your sentence there is no significant implied condition.
- In your sentence both "could have behaved" and "could behave" are possible, depending on which meaning is wanted, though often the difference will not be of great importance.
- If these events happened a long time ago then "could behave" is less likely to be used.
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1 Answers
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"could have behaved" is talking about possibility in the past. "could behave" is talking about possibility in the present, or general possibility (at any time). In your sentence there is no significant implied condition. In your sentence both "could have behaved" and "could behave" are possible, depending
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