nelson13
Member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2012
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- Zhuang
- Home Country
- Bangladesh
- Current Location
- Japan
An example sentence from a dictionary:
I've had a goodlook for it, but I can't find it.
Obviously the act of being unable to find the thing is a past event;
(1)why didn't the editor use COULDN'T?
(2)I remember that in a grammar book the grammarian says when a thing has JUST happened, we can still use the present tense; is this suggestion applicable to the example sentence above?
(3)Is it possible to use COULDN'T? If yes, will there be any change in tone or meaning?
I've had a goodlook for it, but I can't find it.
Obviously the act of being unable to find the thing is a past event;
(1)why didn't the editor use COULDN'T?
(2)I remember that in a grammar book the grammarian says when a thing has JUST happened, we can still use the present tense; is this suggestion applicable to the example sentence above?
(3)Is it possible to use COULDN'T? If yes, will there be any change in tone or meaning?