They couldn't/cannot have played a game

hirashin

Sempai

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8 Apr 2004

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• 16 Oct 2017

• #1

Dear native English speakers,
Would (a) and (b) be used with almost the same meaning? Would (c) be used as well? If so, would it have a different meaning?
(a) They can't/cannot have played a game in the heavy rain.
(b) They couldn't have played a game in the heavy rain.

(c) They must not have played a game in the heavy rain.

Thanks in advance.
Hirashin

 

Takichan

Registered

9 Aug 2017

13

4

• 16 Oct 2017

• #2

A and B, like you say, have ALMOST the same meaning. C is a different meaning. Out of all of them, B is the probably the most used.

 

diligentcircle

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21 Jun 2017

703

97

• 16 Oct 2017

• #3

If you use A, "cannot" sounds stilted, though it's still correct. Stick with "can't" in that form.

 

hirashin

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8 Apr 2004

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• 16 Oct 2017

• Thread starter
• #4

Thank you for the help, takichan and Julimaruchan.
I think (b') has a different meaning than (b). Am I right?
(b) They couldn't have played a game in the heavy rain.
(b') They couldn't play a game in the heavy rain.

 

Takichan

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9 Aug 2017

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4

• 19 Oct 2017

• #5

Yes, you are right b and b' are different. B' is the most used of all of the options.

 

hirashin

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8 Apr 2004

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• 19 Oct 2017

• Thread starter
• #6

Thanks, Takichan.