[Grammar] could have done

[azkado]

Hi there,
Are these sentences correct?

1) You could have helped the man today.
2) You could have helped the man now.


What is the difference between these sentences:

1) You could have helped the man.
2) You could help the man.

 

[GoesStation]

In the first group, sentence 1 is fine. Sentence 2 doesn't work because the verb is in the past tense, which conflicts with the adverb now.

In the second group, sentence 1 is in the past tense. It follows something like Why did you walk away yesterday? Sentence 2 is in the present conditional tense. It could follow something like If only you had a couple of dollars to spare!

 

[Matthew Wai]

The modal perfect refers to the past.

 

[Weaver67]

The modal perfect refers to the past.

I think that it is also worth mentioning that the past which the modal perfect refers to is relative to the time under consideration. In other words, it is similar in essence to looking back from a point in time. And the point in time may be in the future, present, or past:

1) Our boss has decided to call a meeting next week. We might have finished the work by then.

2) It's 7:30pm. He should have got there by now.

3) I wasn't feeling well. I must have eaten something bad.


Not a teacher.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The modal perfect refers to an earlier point in time.

Any objection?