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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Sentence with present perfect tense

Hi. Would you say for the kind of sentences with the likeness of the sentence pattern below what usually follows after the present perfect main verb in the sentence is the modal "could" with present-time ramifications? I don't think think this use of the modal "could" is the past of the modal "can." I think like that since we have a present perfect tense in the main clause. Right or wrong?

They have worried that he could be charged with libel.
  

Top answer

Hi Anon The word could is a past form , but in your sentence it is used to express an uncertain possibility in the future. " As for the "rule" you suggest, no, I would not recommend looking at it that way. Here is a sentence which uses the present perfect and could with a past meaning: - They have asked me many questions that I could not answer .

— Yankee

  • Hi Anon The word could is a past form , but in your sentence it is used to express an uncertain possibility in the future.
  • " As for the "rule" you suggest, no, I would not recommend looking at it that way.
  • Here is a sentence which uses the present perfect and could with a past meaning: - They have asked me many questions that I could not answer .
  • (could not answer = was not able to answer)
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1 Answers
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Hi Anon

The word could is a past form, but in your sentence it is used to express an uncertain possibility in the future. The sentence would also sound more natural to me if you began it with either "They are worried ..." or "They have been worried..."

As for the "rule" you suggest, no, I would not recommend looking at it that way. Here is a sentence
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