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Fab54 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Couldn't do it / wouldn't be able to do it
Hi,
To express the idea of "not beeing able to do something" can we say "couldn't do it"...I give you an example:
(situation: people are at a party)
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!!
Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by:
-After this party I couldn't get up so early!! (I'd say that this sentence has not the same meaning, but Im not sure...)
Thanks for your help
To express the idea of "not beeing able to do something" can we say "couldn't do it"...I give you an example:
(situation: people are at a party)
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!!
Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by:
-After this party I couldn't get up so early!! (I'd say that this sentence has not the same meaning, but Im not sure...)
Thanks for your help
Top answer
I WILL give you an example: (situation: people are at a party) - Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow! - After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!! Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by: -After this party I couldn't get up so early!!
- I WILL give you an example: (situation: people are at a party) - Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- - After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!!
- Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by: -After this party I couldn't get up so early!!
- ) JT: Actually, since Richard is presently at the party and he is speaking about an event, "getting up", that has yet to occur, neither sentence can be used.
- Instead, Richard could say, After this party I WON'T be able to get up that early!!
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7 Answers
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To express the idea of "not being able to do something" can we say "couldn't do it"...I WILL give you an example:
(situation: people are at a party)
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!!
Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by:
-After this party I couldn't get up so e
(situation: people are at a party)
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- After this party I wouldn't be able to get up so early!!
Can we replace the second sentence (without changing the meaning) by:
-After this party I couldn't get up so e
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Thanks for your answer!
In fact I wanted to express a conditional meaning: the second person that speaks is not Richard.
The idea was:
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- (John says) (If I were Richard) after this party I couldn't get up so early!!
In that context, the second sentence is correct?
Thanks
In fact I wanted to express a conditional meaning: the second person that speaks is not Richard.
The idea was:
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- (John says) (If I were Richard) after this party I couldn't get up so early!!
In that context, the second sentence is correct?
Thanks
00
In fact I wanted to express a conditional meaning: the second person that speaks is not Richard.
The idea was:
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- (John says) (If I were Richard) after this party I couldn't get up so early!!
In that context, the second sentence is correct?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wha
The idea was:
- Richard has to get up at 5am tomorrow!
- (John says) (If I were Richard) after this party I couldn't get up so early!!
In that context, the second sentence is correct?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wha
00
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Hi Just The Truth,
you just have to add / to your attempts to quote and it will work:
............
(remove the spaces too)
you just have to add / to your attempts to quote and it will work:
............
(remove the spaces too)
00
Hi Just The Truth,
you just have to add / to your attempts to quote and it will work:
............
(remove the spaces too)
Yup, it worked. Thanks, Elena.
00
Here you neeed to consider following impotant point.
At what time you are expressing this, mean you have to clearly state, whether it is for future or past.
1:sentence is ok if during the party, (John says) "after this party I wouldn't be able get up so early!! (sentence nature is future)
2:sentence is ok if the next day of the party, (John says) "after that party I couldn't get up s
At what time you are expressing this, mean you have to clearly state, whether it is for future or past.
1:sentence is ok if during the party, (John says) "after this party I wouldn't be able get up so early!! (sentence nature is future)
2:sentence is ok if the next day of the party, (John says) "after that party I couldn't get up s
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