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Cannot, could not or not able to

General English Grammar & Vocabulary,... » ESL General English Grammar Questions

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Latest post Thu, Nov 5 2009 12:01 PM by Avangi. 2 replies.
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MaanuMp  +  960778 Tue, 03 Nov 09 04:02 PM
My customer reported a bug with our software. I tried to reproduce the bug. But I failed.


I am not able to reproduce the bug.
I cannot reproduce the bug.
I could not reproduce the bug.


Which one is the correct statement in this context?


Can you please explain the difference?


Thanks!

MaanuMp
Best answer by Ter  +  962351 Thu, 05 Nov 09 11:54 AM
I am not able to reproduce the bug. (A polite  and formal way of saying something.)
I cannot reproduce the bug. (I cannot reproduce it right now.)
I could not reproduce the bug. (I could not - as in in the past. Yesterday? A few days before? ..)
Ter
All the other replies..
Avangi  +  962357 Thu, 05 Nov 09 12:01 PM
MaanuMp
“My customer reported a bug with our software. I tried to reproduce the bug. But I failed.


I am not able to reproduce the bug.
I cannot reproduce the bug.

I could not reproduce the bug.  ”


If you mean in the context of your initial sentences, only the last option works; simply because "tried" and "failed" are simple past tense.

"Am not" and "cannot" are present tense.


However, the other options may be appropriate if your intention is to imply that the condition continues to exist.


You may also change the tense of your introductory statement:

"I have tried" / "I am trying to reproduce the bug, but thus far I have failed."  (You haven't yet given up.")
Avangi
Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007
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