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Newguest Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Could have/could ...

Hi

I could have taken part in this course, but I didn't do it.

I could take part in this course, but I didn't do it.

--- Are both of them correct, and do both refer correctly to the past?
  

Top answer

You can say I could have taken part in this course, but I didn't. I could take part in the course but I'm not going to. Both of these are correct, but the only one that is past tense is the first one.

— Jennilee912

  • You can say I could have taken part in this course, but I didn't.
  • I could take part in the course but I'm not going to.
  • Both of these are correct, but the only one that is past tense is the first one.
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5 Answers
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You can say

I could have taken part in this course, but I didn't.

I could take part in the course but I'm not going to.

Both of these are correct, but the only one that is past tense is the first one.
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Hi. Thanks for the answer.

How about: What did you do Tom? Answer: I know I could have helped her, but I ran away. OR I know I could help her, but I ran away.

Isn't it possible to say: I could help her referring to the past?
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No, it refers to either present or future. You need 'could have' for it to be past.
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You would want to say...

I know I could have helped her, but I ran away.

You're chance to help her is already gone because you ran away so you could have helped her but you didn't. If you wanted to use the other way, you would say something like....

I know I could help her, but I'm going to run away. This would be present tense.
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