I would like to know the difference between "would have p.p. " and " could have p.p." when I want to mention something that has a possibility to have happened in the past.
For example,
It was cold last night and he is coughing now.
Usually he is very healty and never seems to catch a cold.
But,
1)He would have caught a cold last night.
2)He could have caught a cold last night.
I think I can use "may/might have p.p." with the same meaning as the sentences above except for the differences of the degree of possibilities.
Is my understanding correct??
Thank you in advance!
For example,
It was cold last night and he is coughing now.
Usually he is very healty and never seems to catch a cold.
But,
1)He would have caught a cold last night.
2)He could have caught a cold last night.
I think I can use "may/might have p.p." with the same meaning as the sentences above except for the differences of the degree of possibilities.
Is my understanding correct??
Thank you in advance!
Comments
You can use could/may/might have interchangeably for the meaning you intend.
Now I'm wondering, can "would have p.p." be used only as a conditional?
You can never use to mention the possibility in the past?
I mean, to guess something that might have happened.
I seemed to be confused with the speaker's belief or assumption and the possibility in the past.
I really appreciate your help!
Now I feel very good :-)