Please help me

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Dear All,

I have trouble with grammar because I am not sure which one is correcter.

This is my issue for example
“It could have finished today” and “It could have been finished today”. It seems two sentences is correct but I am not sure which one is more meaning than other.

Could someone help me to explain in detail.
I will be thankful If someone consider my question.

Best thanks

2

Hi, first it is “more correct”, not correcter.

This is a pretty subtle difference in tenses, so what is more correct depends on the context. I would use “could have finished” for something that is finishing on its own, like “The festival could have finished today if it had not rained.”

“It could have been finished today” implies that this is something you or someone else was working on, but was unable to be finished because you or they did not complete it: “The kitchen renovation could have been finished today, but we ran out of paint.”

Also, if a person is the subject who is actually finishing something, you should use “have finished” instead of “have been finished”: “The runner could have finished the race if he hadn’t hurt his ankle.” “I could have finished the kitchen renovation today, but we ran out of paint.”

*** edited *** - sorry I keep thinking of exceptions - if you say “finished with”, you have to use “could have been finished with” : “I could have been finished with the kitchen renovation today, but we ran out of paint.”

3

Hi Luschen,
I too learned something from your response above. It reminded of my school days. Usage of

  1. “If I hadn’t … then I could have …”
  2. "If I were you… then I would not have …
    3.“She could have (pp of verb)… but she could not…”
  3. “He could have been … if the tires had not been flat.”

Are these ok or I mean to say worth keeping in mind?

Noren

4

Yes, these are all correct and worth keeping in your “bag of tenses”.

5

Thank you Luschen for your prompt reply and always being around when I need you. By the way, are you a teacher? Though it’s not my business to ask you such questions. I really want to expand my knowledge of American English with you. Please be in contact with me on a daily basis. Thanks.