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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

meaning of could

Is this sentence in the past:

I could not attend the seminar.

Does it mean the same as: I was not able to attend the seminar.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I could not attend the seminar. Couldn't suggest that "the speaker wanted[though the desire may not be that strong] to attend the seminar but couldn't because of some reason"; 'I was not able to attend the seminar' probably suggests the same.

— Karansardana

  • Anonymous I could not attend the seminar.
  • Couldn't suggest that "the speaker wanted[though the desire may not be that strong] to attend the seminar but couldn't because of some reason"; 'I was not able to attend the seminar' probably suggests the same.
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2 Answers
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AnonymousI could not attend the seminar.
Couldn't suggest that "the speaker wanted[though the desire may not be that strong] to attend the seminar but couldn't because of some reason"; 'I was not able to attend the seminar' probably suggests the same.
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karansardana AnonymousI could not attend the seminar.Couldn't suggest that "the speaker wanted[though the desire may not be that strong] to attend the seminar but couldn't because of some reason"; 'I was not able to attend the seminar' probably suggests the same.
Thanks. So does' could not attend the seminar' mean that I did not attend the seminar that took pl
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