English past or present in translation

Ian B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

English past or present in translation

"You could recover your money"  refers to a future possibility not a past action or possibility.  

"You could have recovered your money" refers to not a past action but rather to something that could have been done in the past..  The English is confusing , however much the hint says it is a past action.

Usted ________ su dinero.You could recover your money.(HINT: It refers to a past action)debe recuperarha podido recuperarha recuperadopudo recuperardebería recuperar


Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Ian

I understand that using "could" without context is going to make you think about a conditional (podría in Spanish in this case) but "could" can also be talking about a past action (this is why use are giving the hint) -I have nevertheless changed the verb to "were able to..." so there is no other interpretation here but a past action. I hope this helps.

Inma

English past or present in translation

"You could recover your money"  refers to a future possibility not a past action or possibility.  

"You could have recovered your money" refers to not a past action but rather to something that could have been done in the past..  The English is confusing , however much the hint says it is a past action.

Usted ________ su dinero.You could recover your money.(HINT: It refers to a past action)debe recuperarha podido recuperarha recuperadopudo recuperardebería recuperar


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