Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Chan-Seung Lee]

Which is correct?
1)A:Mind if I smoke? B:Not at all. Go right ahead.
2)A:Mind if I smoke? B:No, I'm all right.

Which is correct?
1)He really could not have been there. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
2)He really should not have been there. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.


Thanks.

[CP]

1. "A:Mind if I smoke? B:Not at all. Go right ahead." Correct. I don't mind if you smoke, so go ahead and smoke.

1. "He really could not have been there. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." No. This means he wasn't there (could not have been) but he was there -- an impossibility.
2. "He really should not have been there. He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." He was there, but he should not have been. He was in the wrong place.
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