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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Would have vs could (in the specific example i have)
Hi there!
This is my first post and i am still "Anonymous", but i promise I'll become a member soon!
So, this is my question
- "Simon is moving to Hawaii"
- "Who _____ it!"
a. would have believed
b. could believe
The answer is obviously 'a', but why is 'b' wrong?
a = hypothesis
b = past possibility (or am i mistaken? if so, how could we use 'could' in this sentence)
Thanxxx
This is my first post and i am still "Anonymous", but i promise I'll become a member soon!
So, this is my question
- "Simon is moving to Hawaii"
- "Who _____ it!"
a. would have believed
b. could believe
The answer is obviously 'a', but why is 'b' wrong?
a = hypothesis
b = past possibility (or am i mistaken? if so, how could we use 'could' in this sentence)
Thanxxx
Top answer
B is 'wrong' simply because A is the idiomatic exclamation we use. Note that it ends in an exclamation point. If it were a real question (as B is), it would end in a question mark.
- B is 'wrong' simply because A is the idiomatic exclamation we use.
- Note that it ends in an exclamation point.
- If it were a real question (as B is), it would end in a question mark.
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2 Answers
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B is 'wrong' simply because A is the idiomatic exclamation we use. Note that it ends in an exclamation point. If it were a real question (as B is), it would end in a question mark.
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AnonymousSo, this is my questionI think this is just one of those expressions you have to memorize.
- "Simon is moving to Hawaii"
- "Who ___ it!"
a. would have believed
b. could believe
The answer is obviously 'a', but why is 'b' wrong?
We just wouldn't say "Who could believe it!" in that situation, even if i
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