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Beatrix Jan 9th, 2009 03:17 pm

Hello
 
I have a couple of questions regarding some translations. unfortunately.

for example, what about the sentence :
"he was obviously very unhappy. we were wondering what could possibly went wrong. " is it grammatically correct?

thanks in advance.

susan53 Jan 10th, 2009 03:49 am

Re: Hello
 
No. After modal verbs - here could - you need an infinitive. In this case it's a past event so you need the perfect infinitive : have+ past participle.

So the correct sentence would be : We were wondering what could have possibly gone wrong or We were wondering what could possibly have gone wrong - I prefer the second, but both are acceptable.

Beatrix Jan 10th, 2009 05:58 am

Re: Hello
 
thank you!! I was even wondering at the possible use of had + past participle. but of course that doesn't exist


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