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Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"?



 
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ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
doubt about "quite difficult" | What is the difference of meaning between "to skid" and "to slip'?
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Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"? #1 (permalink) Tue Jul 24, 2007 0:37 am   Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"?
 

Hi All! Very Happy

May someone tell, if there is any difference between these two sentences:

(1) Peter wasn't there then, so he can't have broken your vase.

and

(2) Peter wasn't there then, so he couldn't have broken your vase.

Is the one with "can't have" even correct?

Thank you! Very Happy
Can
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Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"? #2 (permalink) Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:37 am   Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"?
 

.
The expected form is #2, but #1 is possible if the speaker is thinking of the vase still lying broken and Peter's current responsibility for the accident. Use #2 in careful writing.
.
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Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"? #3 (permalink) Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:12 am   Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"?
 

All right! Thanks a lot!
Can
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 22

Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"? #4 (permalink) Wed Jul 25, 2007 17:26 pm   Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"?
 

yeah, i think both possibilities are correct but you tend to hear more the second one Wink
Sheker9
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Joined: 25 Jul 2007
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Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

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doubt about "quite difficult" | What is the difference of meaning between "to skid" and "to slip'?
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Past modal: "can't have" or "couldn't have"? All times are GMT + 1 Hour
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