[Grammar] The car was likely stolen in broad daylight.

[englishlearner777]

"The car was likely stolen in broad daylight". Is this grammatical?

I've seen the present perfect used more often for this purpose: "The car was likely to have been stolen in broad daylight". I believe the first sentence to be correct since "I was told something" exists, but I don't know if it is correct in this case. Please help.

 

[GoesStation]

Re: Passive past simple and passive present perfect

"The car was likely stolen in broad daylight". Is this grammatical?

Hi, and welcome to the forum. :hi:

Yes, it's fine.

 

[tzfujimino]

Re: Passive past simple and passive present perfect

1. The car was likely stolen in broad daylight.
(the past simple passive)
2. The car has likely been stolen in broad daylight.
(the present perfect simple passive)

 

[Rover_KE]

Please note that I have changed your thread title.

Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'

 

[Yankee]

Re: Passive past simple and passive present perfect

1. The car was likely stolen in broad daylight. Reporting a past action with the possibility that it has or has not been recovered. Context would help.
(the past simple passive)
2. The car has likely been stolen in broad daylight. Reporting a a past action but the car has not been recovered.
(the present perfect simple passive)

Y.

 

[englishlearner777]

Thanks to everyone! The internet was getting confusing for finding an answer :-?.