differences?

Question

In this situation I want to talk about now :
1. I can't live in a big city.
2. I couldn't live in a big city.

In this situation I want to talk about past :
1. I couldn't live in a big city.
2. i couldn't have lived in a big city.

Philip · Accepted Answer

They are acceptable, but context may be necessary to distinguish the meaning.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIn this situation I want to talk about now :1. I can't live in a big city.2. I couldn't live in a big city.

1. I am not able to live in a big city (at any time).
2. I would not be able to live in a big city (at any time) (even if I had an opportunity to do so).

1. is more "real".
2. is more "imagined".

AnonymousIn this situation I want to talk about past :1. I couldn't live in a big city.2. i couldn't have lived in a big city.

1. I was not able to live in a big city (when I tried in the past).
2. I would not have been able to live in a big city (even if I had tried, which I did not).

1. is "real". You tried and failed to adjust to city life.
2. is "imagined". You didn't try to live in a big city, but you know how you would have reacted to it.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for the answer

differences?

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