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Park sang joon Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Could just as well/ can just as well

1. You could just as well have apologized then and there.

I'd like to know I can replace "could with "can."
Thank you in advance for your help.
  

Top answer

" No; it is a statement about the past.

— Mister Micawber

  • " No; it is a statement about the past.
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6 Answers
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park sang joonI'd like to know I can replace "could with "can."
No; it is a statement about the past.
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I'm so sorry for my poor question and thank you for your kind answer.Emotion: smile

2. You may/ might just as well apologize here
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park sang joon1. You could just as well have apologized then and there. I'd like to know I can replace "could with "can."
Note the combination "could" and auxiliary "have". That is the usual combination. "can have apologized" sounds wrong. It is amazing how little we use "can" with auxiliary "have". We very rarely combine those words. So no,
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park sang joon2. You may/ might just as well apologize here and now.Then I'd like to know in #2 if I can replace "may/ might" with "can" or "could."
No, not without changing what you're saying. The meaning with 'may' or 'might' is different.

You may/ might just as well apologize here and now.
~ There is no advantage to doing anything othe
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Thank you, Mr.Jim, for your so very valuable answer. Emotion: smile

could/might just as well do something

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park sang jooncould/might just as well do something
Hmm. I don't hear the version with "could".
park sang joonI was wondering in this case if I can't use "may" in lieu of "could/ might."
Yes. That's commonly said. ... we may (just) as well ...

CJ
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