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Burger7 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
past speculation
Hi,guys, I have a question about an expression for describing past speculation.
It is said that when you want to express past speculation, you use Modal+have+pp.
> His face is swollen. He could have been hit by someone.
> He would have been about twenty, when he met her.
However,I'd like to know if it's possible to use Modal+bare-inf for describing past speculation
> His face is swollen. and he said he fought with his friend. He could be hit by someone then.
> He would be about twenty, when he met her.
And if it can be usable, what would be the difference between them?
I ask you this question on the premises that in the form of HAVE+PP , the speaker's viewpoint lies in the present, not the past. (but the meaning can express past.)
I think, when you use Modal+have+pp, you express your thought, treating the speculative event in your mind from the viewpoint of the present, not the past.(but the meaning of the sentence can be for the past. like the above)
On the other hand, when you use Modal+bare-inf, the viewpoint of the speaker lies in the time your speculative event occurs(that is, in this case the past),not the present.
thank you in advance !
It is said that when you want to express past speculation, you use Modal+have+pp.
> His face is swollen. He could have been hit by someone.
> He would have been about twenty, when he met her.
However,I'd like to know if it's possible to use Modal+bare-inf for describing past speculation
> His face is swollen. and he said he fought with his friend. He could be hit by someone then.
> He would be about twenty, when he met her.
And if it can be usable, what would be the difference between them?
I ask you this question on the premises that in the form of HAVE+PP , the speaker's viewpoint lies in the present, not the past. (but the meaning can express past.)
I think, when you use Modal+have+pp, you express your thought, treating the speculative event in your mind from the viewpoint of the present, not the past.(but the meaning of the sentence can be for the past. like the above)
On the other hand, when you use Modal+bare-inf, the viewpoint of the speaker lies in the time your speculative event occurs(that is, in this case the past),not the present.
thank you in advance !
Top answer
burger7 However,I'd like to know if it's possible to use Modal+bare-inf for describing past speculation> His face is swollen. and he said he fought with his friend. > He would be about twenty, when he met her.
- burger7 However,I'd like to know if it's possible to use Modal+bare-inf for describing past speculation> His face is swollen.
- and he said he fought with his friend.
- > He would be about twenty, when he met her.
- No.
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2 Answers
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burger7However,I'd like to know if it's possible to use Modal+bare-inf for describing past speculation> His face is swollen. and he said he fought with his friend. He could be hit by someone then.> He would be about twenty, when he met her.No.
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> His face is swollen. He could have been hit by someone. (Past time)
> The little dog is in the street. He could be hit by a car. Let's try to catch him. (Present time)
> The little dog is in the street. He could be hit by a car. Let's try to catch him. (Present time)
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