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Could you have answered it

English translation: the same meaning and both correct

15:49 May 21, 2012
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
English term or phrase: Could you have answered it
"Could you have answered it without Melville's explanation?" Can we say it this way

Would "would you have been able to answer" be better?

Thank you!
Michael Kislov
Russian Federation
Local time: 23:42
Selected answer:the same meaning and both correct
Explanation:
IMO both expressions that you give have the same meaning and both express the meaning well in English. "Could", in this context, has the meaning of having the ability to do something, to be able to do something.
Selected response from:

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 17:42
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +13the same meaning and both correct
Martin Riordan


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +13
could you have answered it
the same meaning and both correct


Explanation:
IMO both expressions that you give have the same meaning and both express the meaning well in English. "Could", in this context, has the meaning of having the ability to do something, to be able to do something.

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 17:42
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 275

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Carol Gullidge: they are equally correct; neither one is better than the other
2 mins
  -> Thanks, Carol!
agree  katsy
27 mins
  -> Thanks, katsy!
agree  Veronika McLaren
29 mins
  -> Thanks, Veronika!
agree  Tony M
31 mins
  -> Thanks, Tony!
agree  Charles Davis
31 mins
  -> Thanks, Charles!
agree  Sheila Wilson
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Sheila!
agree  Charlesp: yes
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Charles!
agree  Armorel Young
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Armorel!
agree  Sabine Akabayov, PhD
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, sibsab!
agree  Thayenga: Both can be used and are correct. :)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Thayenga!
agree  Bernhard Sulzer: but "could you have answered it" is shorter and less complicated. That's why I prefer it.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Bernhard. That's a good point...
agree  Phong Le
8 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phong Le!
agree  Pham Huu Phuoc
11 hrs
  -> Thanks, Pham!
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