0
Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Could have = would have

Do these 3 sentences mean the same thing? Are they all grammatical?

I maybe would have gotten away with it if you hadn't shown up.
I could have have gotten away with it if you hadn't shown up.
I maybe could have have gotten away with it if you hadn't shown up.

Is this the same thing also? Are they correct?
The worst thing would be if he found out.
The worst thing would be if he find out.

Thanks
  

Top answer

With "maybe" in the sentence, you practically change " would" to " could". So in that sense, they meant the same things; generally speaking, and they are grammatical. However, would - suggests intent or possibility, Could - on the other hand, suggests probobility.

— Grammarfreak

  • With "maybe" in the sentence, you practically change " would" to " could".
  • So in that sense, they meant the same things; generally speaking, and they are grammatical.
  • However, would - suggests intent or possibility, Could - on the other hand, suggests probobility.
  • The actual meanings are different.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
With "maybe" in the sentence, you practically change " would" to " could". So in that sense, they meant the same things; generally speaking, and they are grammatical. However, would - suggests intent or possibility, Could - on the other hand, suggests probobility. The actual meanings are different.
0
0
I find "maybe could" to be somewhat redundant, though not ungrammatical.

I could have... -- It was very probable that I would have gotten away with it.
I maybe would have.... This almost changes "would" to "could" by making it sound like just a possibility not definite
I maybe could have... Redundant and/or further weakens "could" by making this sound like even less of a possibil
0

Related Questions