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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

How could this happen to me

Hi,

What's the difference between: How could this happen to me? and How could this have happened to me? Thanks.
  

Top answer

- - At any time: in the past, present or future. How could this have happened to me? -- In the past.

— Mister Micawber

  • - - At any time: in the past, present or future.
  • How could this have happened to me?
  • -- In the past.
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9 Answers
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How could this happen to me?-- At any time: in the past, present or future.
How could this have happened to me? -- In the past.
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So, if I want to express the past I can(or could, which one is a better choice here?)say both?
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How could this have happened to me? -- In the past.
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Are they both interchangeable for the past?
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There is no 'both'; there is only one: could have happened.
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But here's what you wrote. How could this happen to me?-- At any time: in the past, present or future.

?
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It applies to all times at the same time, not just past; it cannot refer to only one of those times. It is called the 'universal present': How could this ever happen to me?
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Could you give me some examples, please?
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Of what? This is not a chat page. Please wait and think a while before rushing to new posts.
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