Could not be or could not have been?

Hi. I think in this case we can’t replace “couldn’t have been” with “couldn’t be” because “couldn’t have been” refers to inability in the past while “couldn’t be” refers to inability in the present or future and the author is talking about the past.

Could not have meaning?

Could not have means that something was impossible in the past. For example: She could not have been on that flight because I just saw her at work.

Could have and could Difference?

The word ‘could’ is the past tense of ‘can’. It’s used to mean that somebody was able to do something in the past. So the former sentence means that he was able to climb the mountain. The phrase “could have” is used to mean that somebody was capable of doing something, but he actually didn’t do it.

What is the difference between can not and could not?

they are different because cannot means you’re saying that you’re not gonna able to go swimming (later), But could not means you’re saying that you didn’t get a chance to go swimming (earlier). Cannot is present tense. Could not is past tense.

Could not have come meaning?

“She couldn’t come” indicates that she was unable to come. For example, “She couldn’t come to John’s birthday party last week”. In contrast, “She couldn’t have come” suggests that it’s impossible for her to have come, usually because of some conflicting reason.

Can could and could have sentences?

I can’t breathe. We use could and couldn’t to talk about the past: She could speak several languages. They couldn’t dance very well.

What is the meaning of could not?

5. modal verb. You use could not or couldn’t to indicate that it is not possible that something is true.

How do you use could not in a sentence?

Couldn-t sentence example

1. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and dressed.
2. You couldn’t see a thing.
3. If he has custody, she couldn’t get the money.
4. They both couldn’t be there all the time.
5. He’s a big horse, but I couldn’t make him carry the two of us in that terrain.

Is could have had grammatically correct?

3 Answers. “Which could have” in this case would indicate that the impact is still to come. If the study has concluded then “Could have had” would be much more appropriate. If the study is still in progress, could have an impact is correct.

Could have used meaning?

1: Could have + past participle means that something was possible in the past, or you had the ability to do something in the past, but that you didn’t do it. (See also modals of ability.)

What is the difference between could have and could of?

This chart, which charts could have vs. could of, isn’t completely exhaustive since it only looks at books, but it still clearly illustrates a long-term usage trend. Could have is a verb phrase, but of is not even a verb. Of is a preposition, and it is not part of the modal verb phrase could have. You should never use could of.

What is the difference between ‘can’t’ and ‘couldn’t’?

The word “can’t” refers to a definite impossibility in the present tense. However, the word “couldn’t” refers to a impossibility in the past. In this case, it is correct to say “That can’t be Obama at the door, it’s too early.”.

What is the past participle form of the verb could?

Could is the past participle form of the verb ‘ can ‘ which determines the past ability of someone or something. It is also used when someone is permitted to do something. Now let’s discuss where we can use ‘could’ in our sentences: You could shout when the purse got snatched.

How do you use the word ‘could’?

‘Could’ is used to express past possibility, i.e. something that is possible in the past situation. It can also be used in giving suggestions to someone or making polite requests. Now let’s take a look at its usage: In my childhood, I could play basketball.