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Grammar
Q & A Newsgroup
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Grammar Exchange Grammar Exchange The Grammar Exchange Questions and Answers I still don't believe that the minister|
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Member Posts: 270
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Posted
I still don't believe that the minister knew what was happening; I am sure ......
A) couldn't have B) can C) shouldn't have D) hasn't to E) hadn't Could you explain me why A? Actually I didn't get this question. |
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Member Posts: 11692
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Posted
A is the correct answer here, Volcano. The sentence is in the past ("... the minister knew what was happening") and therefore we need to choose the idea that "it wasn't possible that he knew / for him to know."
We use the perfect modal for ideas in the past, so that's why the answer is he couldn't have (known). If we want to say "I'm sure it wasn't possible that he knew" or "I'm sure it wasn't possible for him to know," we say I'm sure he couldn't have (known). |
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Grammar Exchange Grammar Exchange The Grammar Exchange Questions and Answers I still don't believe that the minister