How did he get across vs How could he get across

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'How did he get across?' is used to ask about a past action that has already happened, while 'How could he get across?' is used to ask about a hypothetical or possible action in the past. The choice between the two depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 678 views

How did he get across

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about a past action that has already happened.

This phrase is used to inquire about the method or means someone used to move from one side of something to the other in the past.

Examples:

How did he get across the river without a boat?
I wonder how he got across the busy street so quickly.

Show examples from the web [+]

How did he get across? Did he walk? Children answer: no, no! Did he jump? Children answer: no, no! Did he hop? Children answer: no,no,no,no! Did he run?
Jul 6, 2006 ... So how did he get across so fast, especially given that, by his own acccount, he has "never done anything sporty before"? Well, according to ...
No, No, How did he get across? G-d Blew with his wind puff, puff, puff, and he blew just enough nuff, nuff,nuff. And through the Sea a path did form, that's how he ...
And how did he get across the Klondike River? That's another lacer. And anyway, how did he know we had gone up the Yukon? You see, we went by water, and ...

Alternatives:

How did he manage to get across?
How did he succeed in getting across?
How did he make it across?
How did he cross over?
How did he traverse?

How could he get across

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about a hypothetical or possible action in the past.

This phrase is used to inquire about the possibility or feasibility of someone moving from one side of something to the other in the past.

Examples:

How could he get across the river without a boat?
I wonder how he could get across the busy street so quickly.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jul 13, 2015 ... Rodia would not let anybody else help him. After all, it was all in his mind and how could he get across to anybody else what he wanted to do?
Jul 23, 2015 ... Rodia would not let anybody else help him. After all, it was all in his mind and how could he get across to anybody else what he wanted to do?
And how could he get across the bridge with both of the golden balls? Scroll down for hint 1. He does not roll one ball because this was a rope and ladder bridge ...
Apr 9, 2010 ... How could he get across it? Maybe he should head back to where he lost them, back to the spot where mom had parked the car. But it was dark ...

Alternatives:

How could he have gotten across?
How might he have gotten across?
How could he manage to get across?
How could he have succeeded in getting across?
How could he have made it across?

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How did he get across vs How could he get across