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Osama91 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

So I could/ could have?

Hi,

A friend of mine invited me over for dinner, but the invitation was too late; I got his invitation at 11 pm, and it was supposed to be (on? is it correct to use the prep ON?) the the next day, so I texted him saying: I wish I got your invitation earlier, so I could/could have arrange"d" for it.

1. Is it correct to say on the next day?
2. Which form is correct; could arrange/ could have arranged, and why?
3. How would you say what I've said in a better way?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

osama91 1. Is it correct to say on the next day? I don't think "on" is incorrect but the sentence sounds better without it.

— MalRey

  • osama91 1.
  • Is it correct to say on the next day?
  • I don't think "on" is incorrect but the sentence sounds better without it.
  • " osama91 2.
  • Which form is correct; could arrange/ could have arranged, and why?
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3 Answers
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osama911. Is it correct to say on the next day?
I don't think "on" is incorrect but the sentence sounds better without it. "...supposed to be the next day..."
osama912. Which form is correct; could arrange/ could have arranged, and why?
Here's how I would write the portion in question:
I wish I
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Thank you. But why did you use the past perfect "had gotten", and not the simple past "got"? I mean, what difference does it make in meaning?

Thanks again.
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osama91Thank you. But why did you use the past perfect "had gotten", and not the simple past "got"? I mean, what difference does it make in meaning?
Because it expresses a wish about the past. We use the past simple tense for wishes about the present.
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