How to use had, had been, could have

Part 1:
Okay. We're not sure whether there were or not

A stretch. Where is Paul? He would have moved to Pittsburgh if unsatisfied with Mara's conclusions. If there, (apparently) had serious disagreements (with Mara)

Otherwise, you need to say, "had been", implication being that there weren't, esp if emphasize "had"

Okay, then

Part 2
Okay but for the divorce to what? To finalize?

Another stretch, couldn't justify it without major changes in punctuation. Think you mean "could have taken"


But for the divorce to what? We assume something unstated is taking a long time but that the divorce proceeding is even more complkex. Perhaps papers were filed for a separation but then when a divorce was imminent it was suggested that this proceeding might take even longer

Gal, the kind of subtle differences you're working with can get one all tied up in knots. Good luck to you Gal and I'm impressed by your determination as esl but I think you'll find most of us resent someone else's homework

Yo JTT where are you

Part 1:
If there were serious disagreements, YES
If there had serious disagreements, NO
If there had been serious disagreements, YES

Part 2
it could have taken even longer for the divorce. YES
it could has taken even longer for the divorce. NO
it could take even longer for the divorce. YES
it could be even longer for the divorce. YES

Think how awful it could have been if there had been a battle over custody of the children. YES

Think how awful it could be if there had a battle over custody of the children. NO

That would have been horrible YES
That would be horrible YES

It's been a very difficult time for kids YES
It would be a very difficult time for kids. YES
It could be a very difficult time for kids. YES

I guess I got carried away. Con's response is certainly more direct

In my own defense however, most esl OP's also ask "why"

Hi dalehileman, can you use others examples to explain to me the usage o
Had, had been, has been, would have, should have

Example:
This project had been taken by her
This project has been taken by her
This project had taken by her

Think how awful it could have been....
Why cannot use "could be"?
What is the different btw could be vs could have been
Would be vs would have been

I had a cold. Now I don't

He had explained. But at the time I didn't understand

He had more than I. He consumed more beer

I had had a cold. Regarding an earlier time under discussion: I still didn't look well last August because I had had a cold in July

I had had a cold. You don't believe me? I insist

I had been misunderstood (I no longer am)

That has been on my mind. It might or might not still be

It has been there from day 1. Still there

I would have fallen. But somehow the accident had been prevented

I would have another cup of coffee….. If I had time

I would have another. Yes I will, thank you

I should have hit him. He deserved to be struck but I was reticent; well, cowardly

I should have thought so. It was pretty obvious

He should have eaten it. It might have improved his health

I should have thought so. It would have been appropriate to think so

Because its implication is that the problem is still present

Think how awful it could have been if the police hadn't arrived on time

Think how awful it could be if you spill that coffee on your son's head

I could be sick, that is, in the near future. I could have been sick last year if my Better Half hadn't taken such good care of me

Why "NO", Contrex?


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JTT's triumph - the Burma Railway.

Contrex's plagiraism

http://able2know.org/topic/217676-1

# 5,380,743

If there had a battle. NO.

I misread it. My apologies.

Spoken like a man.