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Habibaelgindy Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Difference?
A: You could've died.
B: You could've been dead.
C: You should've been dead.
D: You should've died.
B: You could've been dead.
C: You should've been dead.
D: You should've died.
Top answer
A. ” There was a risk of dying, you were lucky to have survived! B.
- A.
- ” There was a risk of dying, you were lucky to have survived!
- B.
- ” Most unlikely and not good English.
- See Note 1.
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2 Answers
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A. “You could’ve died.” There was a risk of dying, you were lucky to have survived!
B. “You could’ve been dead.” Most unlikely and not good English. See Note 1.
C. “You should’ve been dead.” Same as B.
D. “You should’ve died.” There was very little chance of surviving.
Note 1. The two contractions, “could’ve” and “should’ve” do not fit well with “been”; because being
B. “You could’ve been dead.” Most unlikely and not good English. See Note 1.
C. “You should’ve been dead.” Same as B.
D. “You should’ve died.” There was very little chance of surviving.
Note 1. The two contractions, “could’ve” and “should’ve” do not fit well with “been”; because being
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Note that "You should've died" could also mean that the speaker thinks it would be better if you had died, or is wishing that you had died.
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