Could he figure out vs Did he figure out

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Could he figure out' is used to express a possibility or ability in the past, while 'Did he figure out' is used to ask about a specific action in the past. They are not interchangeable as they convey different meanings.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 749 views

Could he figure out

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express a possibility or ability in the past.

This phrase is used to inquire about someone's ability or possibility to understand or solve something in the past.

Examples:

Could he figure out the solution to the puzzle yesterday?
Could she figure out what was wrong with the machine last week?

Show examples from the web [+]

... the sun cast effectively no shadow, but how could he figure out the angle of the shadow at that same moment in Alexandria, 500 miles away?
Nor could he figure out, the legend goes, a way to punish those who commit acts that are just super lame. However, his wandering stopped one day, as he found ...
Jun 12, 2013 ... Could he figure out how to reactivate them? He shows some film of a paralyzed rat, its legs dragging at first, then walking, then running along a ...
Could he figure out how to shop for health care? Would the cost prompt the Parentes to deny themselves the therapies they needed? And was the upside in ...

Alternatives:

Was he able to figure out
Did he manage to figure out
Was he capable of figuring out
Could he solve
Could he understand

Did he figure out

This phrase is correct and commonly used to ask about a specific action of understanding or solving something in the past.

This phrase is used to inquire about whether someone understood or solved something in the past.

Examples:

Did he figure out the answer to the riddle?
Did she figure out how to fix the problem?

Show examples from the web [+]

Aug 2, 2011 ... It seems even the stanchest Order members don't trust him. So, how did he figure out when Harry was going to be moved to the Weasley's ...
Jun 11, 2015 ... How did he figure out in the 1990's that 100 years in the future some shit was going to happen to destroy the human race? I work with scientists ...
Sep 28, 2012 ... How did he figure out the identity of his troll without going to court and getting a subpoena to get various tech companies to reveal the identity ...
May 28, 2015 ... This is real. -1157 minute ago. Some Dude Figured Out How to Skate a Fingerboard. By Leland Ware. How did he figure out how to do this?

Alternatives:

Was he able to figure out
Managed he to figure out
Did he solve
Did he understand
Did he comprehend

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Could he figure out vs Did he figure out