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Youngbuts Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
(I) coulda been a contender...?
Hello, everyone!
I have heard there is a famous movie line from On the Waterfront .
“coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.”—arlon Brando,
In this line 'I could have been a contender', the phrase 'could have been' seems to me to imply a painful regret of Brando. What I wonder is whether I can have the same effect even if I change the subject into the third personal. For example
He could have been a contender. He coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what he is.
If not, what modal verbs could be used?
Many thanks in advance!
I have heard there is a famous movie line from On the Waterfront .
“coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.”—arlon Brando,
In this line 'I could have been a contender', the phrase 'could have been' seems to me to imply a painful regret of Brando. What I wonder is whether I can have the same effect even if I change the subject into the third personal. For example
He could have been a contender. He coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what he is.
If not, what modal verbs could be used?
Many thanks in advance!
Top answer
youngbuts In this line 'I could have been a contender', the phrase 'could have been' seems to me to imply a painful regret of Brando. What I wonder is whether I can have the same effect even if I change the subject into the third personal. It shows regret only because that was the way it was acted.
- youngbuts In this line 'I could have been a contender', the phrase 'could have been' seems to me to imply a painful regret of Brando.
- What I wonder is whether I can have the same effect even if I change the subject into the third personal.
- It shows regret only because that was the way it was acted.
- Compare "I could have been a ***, but I'm a millionaire'.
- Changing the person does not affect the way the modal can be used.
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1 Answers
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youngbutsIn this line 'I could have been a contender', the phrase 'could have been' seems to me to imply a painful regret of Brando. What I wonder is whether I can have the same effect even if I change the subject into the third personal.It shows regret only because that was the way it was acted. Compare "I could have been a ***, but I'm a millionaire'. Cha
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