could have won vs could win.

[Boris Tatarenko]

Hello.

I wrote: "We could win, but alas, we didnt" and someone corrected: "We could have won, but alas, we didn't".

What's the difference between mine and yours sentences? I think my sentence means the same thing.
Am I right?

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

I wrote: "We could win, but alas, we didn't"

That is not possible.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

We use both "could" and "could have verb" in a past context. So, what's the difference?

 

[bhaisahab]

We use both "could" and "could have verb" in a past context. So, what's the difference?

On its own "could" doesn't indicate the past; "could have" does.

 

[SoothingDave]

"We could win" is speaking of a future possibility.

"We could have won" is speaking about a past counter-factual.