She would have been 80?

[ostap77]

Absolutely right. :-D

Getting back to post #16. Why would she say things like "could have talked or could have bought me a drink? Not just "could talk or could buy me a drink"?

 

[5jj]

Getting back to post #16. Why would she say things like "could have talked or could have bought me a drink? Not just "could talk or could buy me a drink"?

It's humorous:lol:. 'Could have talked' suggests they were not talking - but they were talking. She wants to talk to him and have him buy a drink for her, but does not want too sound too forward and .... never mind. Humour always evaporates if you have to explain it. Don't worry about the grammar - it is intentionally odd.

 

[ostap77]

It's humorous:lol:. 'Could have talked' suggests they were not talking - but they were talking. She wants to talk to him and have him buy a drink for her, but does not want too sound too forward and .... never mind. Humour always evaporates if you have to explain it. Don't worry about the grammar - it is intentionally odd.

So If I wanted to ask a girl out and didn't want to sound too forward, I could say "We could have been sitting in a bar chating away and drinking champagne."?:-D

 

[5jj]

It can sound good in a film or play (the first time you hear it), but I doubt if it will get you anywhere in real life.