1) It was possible for him to have bought the car.
Does that mean:
a) It was possible that he had bought the car. (At a certain time in the past, it was possible that he had already bought the car before that time).
b) It was possible for him to buy the car, but he didn't.
or....?
Gratefully,
Navi
It could theoretically mean either one, but unless the context suggested otherwise I would take it to mean that he could have bought the car, but didn't. If I wanted to express the first one, I would probably phrase it like you did.
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It could theoretically mean either one, but unless the context suggested otherwise I would take it to mean that he could have bought the car, but didn't. If I wanted to express the first one, I would probably phrase it like you did.