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Pructus Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Could have PP --- in past possibility
Hi,
Below is an excerpt from an American drama, "24, season 3, episode 17".
To be honest with you, I don't know. I still can't believe he survived the blast in Bosnia. They must have captured him, otherwise he would have resurfaced. They would have put him in prison, tortured him for God knows how many years. Now he's holding our government responsible.
*** *** ***
With help of forum Gurus, I was able to correctly understand that "would have PP" has two kinds, one of which referring to "past probability", which is the second one in the above excerpt.
Then, recently, I've come to wonder if there is such thing in "could have PP", considering that such thing also exists in "should have PP".
"could have PP" of past probability or past possibility is also possible?
If possible, then "I could have done it." can mean "I didn't do it but I was able to do it", and also "I coud do it, and I finished it".
Below is an excerpt from an American drama, "24, season 3, episode 17".
To be honest with you, I don't know. I still can't believe he survived the blast in Bosnia. They must have captured him, otherwise he would have resurfaced. They would have put him in prison, tortured him for God knows how many years. Now he's holding our government responsible.
*** *** ***
With help of forum Gurus, I was able to correctly understand that "would have PP" has two kinds, one of which referring to "past probability", which is the second one in the above excerpt.
Then, recently, I've come to wonder if there is such thing in "could have PP", considering that such thing also exists in "should have PP".
"could have PP" of past probability or past possibility is also possible?
If possible, then "I could have done it." can mean "I didn't do it but I was able to do it", and also "I coud do it, and I finished it".
Top answer
-- No, the 2nd meaning is not possible.
- -- No, the 2nd meaning is not possible.
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2 Answers
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If possible, then "I could have done it." can mean "I didn't do it but I was able to do it", and also "I could do it, and I finished it".-- No, the 2nd meaning is not possible.
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