She would have been 80?

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ostap77

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Absolutely right. :-D

Getting back to post #16. Why would she say things like "could have talked or could have bought me a drink? Not just "could talk or could buy me a drink"?
 

5jj

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Getting back to post #16. Why would she say things like "could have talked or could have bought me a drink? Not just "could talk or could buy me a drink"?
It's humorous:lol:. 'Could have talked' suggests they were not talking - but they were talking. She wants to talk to him and have him buy a drink for her, but does not want too sound too forward and .... never mind. Humour always evaporates if you have to explain it. Don't worry about the grammar - it is intentionally odd.
 

ostap77

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It's humorous:lol:. 'Could have talked' suggests they were not talking - but they were talking. She wants to talk to him and have him buy a drink for her, but does not want too sound too forward and .... never mind. Humour always evaporates if you have to explain it. Don't worry about the grammar - it is intentionally odd.

So If I wanted to ask a girl out and didn't want to sound too forward, I could say "We could have been sitting in a bar chating away and drinking champagne."?:-D
 
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5jj

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It can sound good in a film or play (the first time you hear it), but I doubt if it will get you anywhere in real life.
 
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