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Pructus Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Could have seen him grow up

Hello, dear Gurus!!

a. I wish I could have seen him grow up.
b. I wish I could see him grow up.
__________

The difference between a. and b.?

b. means that I am still seeing him growing up, when a. means that I finished seeing him grow up, i.e. I will see him until he became an adult?
  

Top answer

a. He's already grown up. The speaker really wanted to see him grow up, but for some reason it wasn't possible for them to witness the process.

— Ozzourti

  • a.
  • He's already grown up.
  • The speaker really wanted to see him grow up, but for some reason it wasn't possible for them to witness the process.
  • b.
  • He hasn't grown up yet.
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3 Answers
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a. He's already grown up. The speaker really wanted to see him grow up, but for some reason it wasn't possible for them to witness the process.
b. He hasn't grown up yet. The speaker really wants to see him grow up, but it may not be possible for them—depending on the circumstances—to see him turn into an adult.
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Thanks a lot, ozzourti!!

a. is from the movie, "Tomorrow" and the situation is that the scientists are locked in some freezing ice and there is no possiblility that they can survive. And his son seems to be not grown up yet.
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ozzourti, after revisiting and rethinking about your explanation, I was able to get the grasp more clearly.

Thanks...
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