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Wangqh2696122 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Couldn’t have been or couldn’t be?

couldn’t have been or couldn’t be?

—There were already five people in the car but they managed to take
me as well.
—It ______a comfortable journey.

A. couldn’t have been B.couldn’t be

I know A is correct, but it seems to me that B is also correct, though I can't remember where I have seen such a situation.
  

Top answer

wangqh2696122 There were already five people in the car but they manag ed to take me as well. Past, so you need couldn't have been = It's not possible that it was a comfortable journey. It couldn't be a comfortable journey means It would not be possible for it to be a comfortable journey (now) .

— CalifJim

  • wangqh2696122 There were already five people in the car but they manag ed to take me as well.
  • Past, so you need couldn't have been = It's not possible that it was a comfortable journey.
  • It couldn't be a comfortable journey means It would not be possible for it to be a comfortable journey (now) .
  • Frankly, it just doesn't make much sense to say that after someone just told you the story of something that happened.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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wangqh2696122There were already five people in the car but they managed to take
me as well.
Past, so you need couldn't have been = It's not possible that it was a comfortable journey.

It couldn't be a comfortable journey means It would not be possible for it to be a comfortable journey (now).

Fra
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