modal + perfect

spychu · Post by **spychu** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:48 pm

Dear all,
What is the difference between "may have seen" and "might have seen"?
How about "could have seen"?
what should I aware when want to use modals and perfect tense?

Thanks.

Stephen Jones · Post by **Stephen Jones** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:18 pm

Very little difference. All three mean "It is possible (he) saw". 'Might' is generally considered to be less likely than 'could' or 'may' (it is after all the remote form of 'may') but the nuance is not always there.

tomtoledo · Post by **tomtoledo** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:42 pm

To express the idea that it is possible that David saw the movie, it seems to me that people here in Toledo, Ohio USA may use any of the three below:

"He may have seen the movie."
"He might have seen the movie."
"He could have seen the movie."

In writing, I don't detect a difference. In speaking, however, a lot depends on stress.

"He may have seen the movie."

with may stressed indicates a lower probability that he saw it than the same sentence with may, might, or could unstressed.

In addition, could often has the meaning of something that had the potential of happening, but didn't.

"He was nuts to climb that tree. He could have fallen."

Tom -- Free story-based grammar / listening practice at www.englishzoom.com