I watched a documentry on drug addiction on Nat Geo. It was about a lady who had suff

[tufguy]

I watched a documentry on drug addiction on Nat Geo. It was about a lady who "suffered" or "had suffered" "drug abuse" or "substance abuse". Who "was" or "had been" an addict in the past. She was telling that what "she went through" or "had gone through" in the past. She also told that she "had gone" or "went" for rehab program and was heald and was sent back to home. She was telling that she "could" become an addict again or she "could have become an addict" (What we should be using here "Could" or "Could have done"?)again?

Please check and please resolve my queries.

 

[tedmc]

I would use the past tense. Is there any particular reason to use the past perfect tense?

"Tell" is a transitive verb requiring an object.

I would use "could have become" for narrating in the past.

 

[tufguy]

I would use the past tense. Is there any particular reason to use the past perfect tense?

"Tell" is a transitive verb requiring an object.

I would use "could have become" for narrating in the past.

Yes because we are narrating so that is why, I watched it in the past and whatever happened with her happened in the past as well so that is why. Is it incorrect to use "Past perfect"?

Why "Could have done" only why not "Could"? I mean she says she can become an addict again. She told that she could become an addict again. Is it wrong?

 

[emsr2d2]

Note the correct spelling of "documenta​ry".

 

[tufguy]

Note the correct spelling of "documenta​ry".

Okay, thanks but please also answer my question.

 

[tedmc]

Yes because we are narrating so that is why, I watched it in the past and whatever happened with her happened in the past as well so that is why. Is it incorrect to use "Past perfect"?

Why "Could have done" only why not "Could"? I mean she says she can become an addict again. She told that she could become an addict again. Is it wrong?

OK, the past tense could be used for the first sentence. The other sentences which are about what happened earlier could be in the past perfect tense.

You use "could have +verb" because you were talking about something in the past that did not happen.

 

[tufguy]

Note the correct spelling of "documenta​ry".

Hi native speakers, can both tenses be used here? Could you please reply?

 

[tufguy]

Please guys reply.

 

[tufguy]

I just need one reply guys if you coupd help me?

 

[Tdol]

Calm down- you have had thousands of replies here. Be patient.

She was telling that she "could" become an addict again or she "could have become an addict"

Could = after that point in time
Could have = after a point of time in the past

I'd guess the first without more context.

 

[tufguy]

Calm down- you have had thousands of replies here. Be patient.




Could = after that point in time
Could have = after a point of time in the past

I'd guess the first without more context.

Are you saying (Could and could have become) both can be used? How about the whole paragraph should we be using past or past perfect or both are correct? I guess both tenses can be used is it correct?