english grammer

Question

i have a lot of confusion in could, could have / would, would have
for example
1)they could at least tell me.
2)they could have at least tell me.
3)they can at least tell me.
4)they can have atleast tell me.
which sentence is more appropriate? all resemble the same meaning.
please tell me which one is the best to use.

Anand0021 · Accepted Answer

Hi, I am not pretty sure. But one sentence is correct.
1. They can tell me.
For past, It's they could have told me.

Sanju9461 · Answer

hello, may be you're right.....but could is determiner i think it does not depend on tense.....i found that it depends on sentence's expression....somtimes we can use "could'  instead of can....that was my Question?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

They could have at least told me. This is an unreal condition in the past. They didn't tell you (something important).

They could at least tell me. This is a present situation where they refuse to talk to you.

Sanju9461 · Answer

Thanks sir...you have almost made clear my confusion.....this is largely beneficial......<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/21.gif' alt='Emotion: yes'/>

CalifJim · Answer

1) They could at least tell me. Now or in the future.
2) They could have at least told me. In the past. 'have' is followed by 'told', not 'tell'.
3) They can at least tell me. Not used much. Present.
4) They can have at least told me. Wrong. 'can have' with a past participle is only used with negative polarity items or interrogatives.

CJ

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