kadioguy
Key Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2017
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Taiwan
- Current Location
- Taiwan
[From a TOEIC test]
1. Why is “couldn’t”, rather than “can’t”, used here? I think that it is because the speaker is looking back at the time. So Jeff’s not being here is like something in the past. Is that right?
2. However, would “can’t” work here to native speakers ? I suppose that at the start of the meeting either would sound fine, but I am sure if this is the case. What do you think?
[Edit: Changed "would have sounded fine" to "would sound fine".]
1. Why is “couldn’t”, rather than “can’t”, used here? I think that it is because the speaker is looking back at the time. So Jeff’s not being here is like something in the past. Is that right?
2. However, would “can’t” work here to native speakers ? I suppose that at the start of the meeting either would sound fine, but I am sure if this is the case. What do you think?
[Edit: Changed "would have sounded fine" to "would sound fine".]
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