Fandorin  +  655789 Tue, 27 Jan 09 10:18 PM Hi teachers. I'd like to clean the sky about this type. Swan (123.5) tells me that: "could + have+past participle can refer to present situations which were possible but have not been realised" He could have been Prime Minister now if he had not decided to leave politics. So, it looks like Mixed Conditional. He could be Prime Minister (now, like Second type), if he hadn't decided to leave politics (like Third type, unreal past).  Are my statements correct? Could have past participle is generally used to refer to unreal, unhappened situations in the past, but we are talking now. Is it the same as given above? He could have been Prime Minister. (but he were not, and he isn't). Thank for your help so much! Fandorin Joined on Thu, Dec 20 2007 Moscow Contributing Member 1,382 Whatever happens, be yourself. Conditionals, Mixed Conditionals, Speaking, Chat, Friendships

	CalifJim  +  655835 Wed, 28 Jan 09 12:51 AM I'd like to clean the sky clear the air about ...   I think that's what you mean, although even if you correct the idiom, the use of it here is still inappropriate.  "clear the air" is what you usually do after a heated argument or disagreement. ______ could can substitute for would without changing the numbering system of the conditionals. If ... [past] ..., could ...            Second conditional. If ... had ..., could have ...        Third conditional. If ... [past] ..., could have ...      Mixed. If ... had ..., could ...                 Mixed. ______ Frankly, I find the following just a bit anomalous. He could have been Prime Minister now if he had not decided to leave politics.  [Third, not Mixed, Conditional] been seems to mean become here, and, in my opinion, it doesn't go with now.  To resolve this contradiction, I assign this meaning: He could have become Prime Minister (in the past) [and if he had become Prime Minister then, he would (still) be Prime Minister now] if he had not decided to leave politics.   [The implicit conditional is mixed.] ______ I don't understand what you intended to convey by reconstructing this without have:  He could be Prime Minister now =~ He [may / might] be PM now =~ Maybe he is PM now.  (So I'm going to ignore it!) ______ Here's a famous example of the could have been structure: CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,415 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Conditionals, Idioms, Video

	Yankee  +  655895 Wed, 28 Jan 09 04:15 AM CalifJim “Here's a famous example of the could have been structure: ” Wow!  Great example, CJ.  It's a perfect pronunciation example for could've been ("coulda been") too.    Yankee Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006 Connecticut, USA Veteran Member 6,500 Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain Pronunciation, Speaking

	CalifJim  +  656023 Wed, 28 Jan 09 07:19 AM could have been - the most regret-filled words in the English language. CJ CalifJim

	Fandorin  +  656185 Wed, 28 Jan 09 11:30 AM Hi, CalifJim and  Amy. Glad to see you. CalifJim “'d like to clean the sky clear the air about ...  ” I meant to bring lucidity to the case described.  I guess I get it.  CalifJim “He could be Prime Minister now =~ He [may / might] be PM now =~ Maybe he is PM now.  (So I'm going to ignore it!) ” Yes, I'm sorry for writing such a mess, I did it without paying much attention. I tried to compose Mixed Conditional. CalifJim “If ... [past] ..., could have ...      Mixed.” If I didn't work here (now, in present I do work here), I would not have bought a new house (I've already bought it). Is it OK? Sometimes I'm confused about Mixed. CalifJim “If ... had ..., could ...                 Mixed.” If I hadn't done that (past), I was a bunkrupt (now, but fortunately I am not.) Thank you so much, Jim. By the way, what  is the title of the film? I like watching old-time movies. Fandorin Conditionals, Mixed Conditionals, Apologies

	Yankee  +  656331 Wed, 28 Jan 09 02:42 PM Fandorin “By the way, what  is the title of the film?” That quote is from the movie "On the Waterfront". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047296/quotes Yankee

	CalifJim  +  656450 Wed, 28 Jan 09 06:15 PM Fandorin “If I didn't work here (now, in present I do work here), I would not have bought a new house (I've already bought it). Is it OK?” Fine. Fandorin “If I hadn't done that (past), I was a bunkrupt I would be bankrupt (now, but fortunately I am not.) ” As corrected. CJ CalifJim

	Fandorin  +  656502 Wed, 28 Jan 09 08:26 PM Thank you, Amy. The next film to see. Fandorin

	Fandorin  +  656503 Wed, 28 Jan 09 08:27 PM Thank you, Jim. Useful example and the great film, I guess. Fandorin