past times: could have gone/could go

[Saneta]

1. They could have gone to Spain last summer, but they preferred to take a trip to Greece instead.

Could I the above sentence write this way:

2. They could go to Spain last summer, but they preferred to take a trip to Greece instead.

Is there any difference between 1 and 2?
Thanks :)

[Mordant]

Hi, Saneta.

Could I write the above sentence this way?

Number 1 is correct. Number 2 isn't. It is not a current possibility that I would be able to do anything at a time that is already over and gone. It's like saying "I might go to Rome last year."

[Saneta]

Dear Mordant,
But ,,could go'' can have the present and the past meaning as in:
I could go to Spain this summer. (present)
I could go to London last summer. (past)

So why can't it be:2. They could go to Spain last summer, but they preferred to take a trip to Greece instead.?
Thank You.

[Beeesneees]

Saneta, in your second set of examples your first sentence is not present tense and your second sentence is incorrect.

I could have gone to Spain last Summer. (past) implication: I didn't go.
I could go to Spain next year. (future) implication: I might go
I could go to Spain this summer. (future) implication: I might go

They could have gone to Spain last summer but they preferred Greece.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Mordant]

"I could go to London last summer."

When "could" refers to the past, it is about ability and not possibility. And we are usually giving some type of account.

You should've seen me when I was younger. I could play the piano, dance, sing and paint.

Where the first sentence works:

Man, I miss all the opportunities I had last year. I could go to London last summer, buy clothes when I got ready and save plenty of cash.