Couldn't have v3 and Obligation
Does the structure "Couldn't have v3" also have the meaning of obligation? Imagine that my friend Mary wanted to go to a party but she was not allowed to go to the party or was obligated not to go, so when she is asked why she didn't come to the party, can she say "I couldn't have gone to the party"?
Top answer
anonymous Mary wanted to go to a party but she was not allowed to go to the party or was obligated not to go, so when she is asked why she didn't come to the party, can she say "I couldn't have gone to the party"? She can say that, but the statement reveals no more than the fact that she would not have been able to attend; it does not suggest the reason.
- anonymous Mary wanted to go to a party but she was not allowed to go to the party or was obligated not to go, so when she is asked why she didn't come to the party, can she say "I couldn't have gone to the party"?
- She can say that, but the statement reveals no more than the fact that she would not have been able to attend; it does not suggest the reason.
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anonymousMary wanted to go to a party but she was not allowed to go to the party or was obligated not to go, so when she is asked why she didn't come to the party, can she say "I couldn't have gone to the party"?
She can say that, but the statement reveals no more than the fact that she would not have been able to attend; it does not suggest the reason.
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