it could not have been your ex!

[ademoglu]

Hi,

*self-made*

A: Who sent those flowers?
B: I am not that sure. But what I am sure is that it could not have been your ex!

I would like to learn if I was able to use 'could not have been' in the sentence right. If yes, is 'could not have been' equal to 'can not have been' in the sentence above? (I think, yes)

Thanks.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would say 'it could not be your ex!'

 

[ademoglu]

Thanks for the answer, but why not 'could not have been'? The question, 'who SENT those flowers' is in the past.

 

[ademoglu]

I just though that 'it could not have been your ex!' means 'your ex could not have sent those.'

 

[ademoglu]

So, "it could not be your ex!" is wrong. :lol:

 

[Matthew Wai]

I just thought that 'it could not be your ex' means 'it was not possible that it was your ex'.

 

[Raymott]

So, "it could not be your ex!" is wrong. :lol:

It's not exactly wrong.

 

[ademoglu]

What is the difference then?

 

[Raymott]

What is the difference then?

To me, one ('could not have been') is better than the other. There's no difference in the pragmatic meaning.

 

[Matthew Wai]

May I say that it just depends on personal preference?

 

[ademoglu]

I think 'it could not be' is an ellipsis to 'it could not be your ex that sent those flowers.' So there is no difference in meaning. Both are OK.

 

[Matthew Wai]

... is 'could not have been' equal to 'can not have been' in the sentence above? (I think, yes)

I think otherwise.