Couldn't or didn't anywhere
Hi teachers,
Can "couldn't see" and "didn't see" interchange in the following examples?
1. My new blonde friend didn't show. And I couldn't see her anywhere. The place was very crowded.
2. I looked down the lane to see if my other sister, Ruth was coming, but I didn't see her anywhere.
3. I nodded and headed downstairs, keeping my eyes for Rayna. I couldn't see her anywhere, but I didn't panic.
4. I looked everywhere, but I didn't see her.
Thanks
TN
Top answer
Some form of 'can' is typically used with certain verbs, even though it adds very little to the meaning. The verbs of this kind that immediately come to mind are 'see', 'hear', and 'remember'. So you can say either 'didn't' or 'couldn't' in these kinds of sentences, but 'couldn't' is a little more idiomatic.
- Some form of 'can' is typically used with certain verbs, even though it adds very little to the meaning.
- The verbs of this kind that immediately come to mind are 'see', 'hear', and 'remember'.
- So you can say either 'didn't' or 'couldn't' in these kinds of sentences, but 'couldn't' is a little more idiomatic.
- CJ
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Some form of 'can' is typically used with certain verbs, even though it adds very little to the meaning. The verbs of this kind that immediately come to mind are 'see', 'hear', and 'remember'.
So you can say either 'didn't' or 'couldn't' in these kinds of sentences, but 'couldn't' is a little more idiomatic.
CJ
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