can't see???

[Wesley P]

Hi guys... I've got another one.

now I'm wondering about the meaning of "can't see" in the following sentence.

Sara can't see paying so much money for a car.

Now I have the impression that Sara can't imagine herself buying such an expensive car.

please correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm missing something.

Many thanks.

[billmcd]

Hi guys... I've got another one.

now I'm wondering about the meaning of "can't see" in the following sentence.

Sara can't see paying so much money for a car.

Now I have the impression that Sara can't imagine herself buying such an expensive car.

please correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm missing something.

Many thanks.

You are correct in your interpretation.

[Raymott]

Hi guys... I've got another one.

now I'm wondering about the meaning of "can't see" in the following sentence.

Sara can't see paying so much money for a car.

Now I have the impression that Sara can't imagine herself buying such an expensive car.

please correct me if I'm wrong or if I'm missing something.

Many thanks.

That's not a good sentence where I come from. "See" needs a direct object.
"Sara said she couldn't see herself paying so much money for a car."
"I can't see Sara paying so much money for a car."

With 'imagine', you don't need a direct object: "Sara can't imagine paying so much money for a car".

[billmcd]

That's not a good sentence where I come from. "See" needs a direct object.
"Sara said she couldn't see herself paying so much money for a car."
"I can't see Sara paying so much money for a car."

With 'imagine', you don't need a direct object: "Sara can't imagine paying so much money for a car".

"Paying" in the original example is a gerund used as a noun and therefore the object of the sentence.

[Raymott]

"Paying" in the original example is a gerund used as a noun and therefore the object of the sentence.

OK, I understand the grammar, but I've never heard this construction. Maybe it's American?

[5jj]

I've never heard this construction. Maybe it's American?

I have heard it, but not from speakers of BrE, I think. I would produce the original utterance as, "Sara can't see herself paying so much money for a car".

[Tdol]

I haven't come across it in BrE either, so it is looking like AmE so far.

[riquecohen]

I haven't come across it in BrE either, so it is looking like AmE so far.

It's frequently heard in AmE. "Let's go to another restaurant; I can't see waiting that long for a table here."