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Zuotengdazuo Posted 8 years ago
Grammar
She was not even certain she could have found the sea again
By herself, she was not even certain she could have found the sea again. Day or night, the sky was solid grey and overcast, with neither sun nor stars to help her find her way.
Excerpt from George R. R. Martin's a Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle
Context: She was traveling with her squire and a guide in a pine wood.
Excerpt from George R. R. Martin's a Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle
Context: She was traveling with her squire and a guide in a pine wood.
Hi. I don’t quite understand why “could have” is used here. She’s finding the sea is in the future while “could have” refers to a past event.
Could you please explain why “could have” is used here?
Thank you.
Top answer
zuotengdazuo “could have” refers to a past event. No, it doesn't. At least not in this context.
- zuotengdazuo “could have” refers to a past event.
- No, it doesn't.
- At least not in this context.
- was not ...
- certain she could have found ...
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1 Answers
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zuotengdazuo“could have” refers to a past event.
No, it doesn't. At least not in this context.
... was not ... certain she could have found ...
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... was not ... certain she would have been able to find ... (if she had been required to do it)
Sequence of tenses after "was" may be interfering here so that this m
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