Could have happened vs could happen
... and Jack was standing there, stunned and stupid, trying to understand how a thing like this could have happened.
Source:The Shining
Context: Jack lost his temper when he saw his son ruined part of his manuscript and in anger he broke his son's arm. But after that, he regretted doing so.
Hi, dear teachers. Can we say "could have happened" and "could happen" interchangeably because this thing has just happen not long ago?
Or in this case we should stick to "could have happened" because "breaking his son's arm" is an one-off event which has been finished in the past?
Thank you.
Top answer
zuotengdazuo Can we say "could have happened" and "could happen" interchangeably because this thing has just happen not long ago? Yes, in this case, at least. zuotengdazuo we should stick to "could have happened" because "breaking his son's arm" is an one-off event which has been finished in the past?
- zuotengdazuo Can we say "could have happened" and "could happen" interchangeably because this thing has just happen not long ago?
- Yes, in this case, at least.
- zuotengdazuo we should stick to "could have happened" because "breaking his son's arm" is an one-off event which has been finished in the past?
- No, that is not a valid argument for using the perfect form.
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zuotengdazuo Can we say "could have happened" and "could happen" interchangeably because this thing has just happen not long ago?
Yes, in this case, at least.
zuotengdazuowe should stick to "could have happened" because "breaking his son's arm" is an one-off event which has been finished in the past?
No, that is no
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