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couldn't do it vs couldn't have done it

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Couldn't do it' is used to express the inability to complete a task in the present or past, while 'couldn't have done it' is used to express the inability to have completed a task in the past.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 746 views

couldn't do it

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express the inability to complete a task in the present or past.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was unable to accomplish a task either currently or in the past.

Examples:

I couldn't do it yesterday.
She couldn't do it even if she tried.
We couldn't do it without your help.
They couldn't do it on their own.
He couldn't do it because he was sick.

Show examples from the web [+]

I told him that I couldn't do it.
There was an order to take her down, and I just couldn't do it.
Mike realized he couldn't do it forever.
He couldn't do it with his wife.
Maybe he knew he couldn't do it.
I told him I couldn't do it anymore, and he got real angry.
Realized they couldn't do it without killing me.
I couldn't do it, Margot.
Thirty British scientists couldn't do it in a year.
Abby... I couldn't do it.
You spent days complaining that you couldn't do it.
You said I couldn't do it, but I did.
But Michael couldn't do it.
I couldn't do it to George.
I couldn't do it like you even if I tried.
I couldn't do it to Damon.
I couldn't do it myself.
Just couldn't do it anymore.
He thought I couldn't do it.
No, I couldn't do it.

Alternatives:

couldn't accomplish it
couldn't complete it
couldn't manage it
couldn't pull it off
couldn't make it happen

couldn't have done it

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express the inability to have completed a task in the past.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was unable to accomplish a task in the past, emphasizing the completion aspect.

Examples:

I couldn't have done it without your support.
She couldn't have done it any better.
We couldn't have done it on time.
They couldn't have done it without the proper tools.
He couldn't have done it even if he had tried.

Show examples from the web [+]

I promise you, I couldn't have done it alone.
I couldn't have done it without your probing and annoying question.
Ms.Talcott was with Dwight when Catherine Harrison was assaulted, proving he couldn't have done it.
Kale's been locked up with us for two weeks; couldn't have done it.
Ray couldn't have done it sitting there.
He couldn't have done it because he was next to me on the couch.
Of course he couldn't have done it without the help of me, Takiyashamaru.
The date and time were on the monitor, so he couldn't have done it.
I'm your family. Joey, I really appreciate everything you've done for us, and I couldn't have done it without you.
Listen, I wish I could take all the credit, but, honestly, I couldn't have done it without your father.
If he couldn't have done it, then why did Beth finger him for the call?
KK couldn't have done it, because she's too short.
I couldn't have done it otherwise.
No, he couldn't have done it.
And I couldn't have done it without my other lifelong dream...
He couldn't have done it.
But l couldn't have done it without you.
They couldn't have done it on their own.
Ray couldn't have done it sitting there.
But this kid couldn't have done it.

Alternatives:

couldn't have accomplished it
couldn't have completed it
couldn't have managed it
couldn't have pulled it off
couldn't have made it happen

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