I couldn't do that because I will get a sunburn. vs I can't do that because I will get a sunburn.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'I couldn't do that because I will get a sunburn' implies that the speaker was unable to do something in the past due to the possibility of getting a sunburn. On the other hand, 'I can't do that because I will get a sunburn' suggests a current inability to do something because of the risk of sunburn. The choice between 'couldn't' and 'can't' depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1543 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I couldn't do that because I will get a sunburn."

This phrase indicates that the speaker was unable to do something in the past due to the possibility of getting a sunburn. It implies a past situation where the speaker couldn't take a certain action.

Show examples from the web [+]

He won't do that because I'll be on the boat with him.
You know I can't do that because I'm a serious actress now.
I can't do that because I've already spent the expansion budget on this place.
They probably won't do that because I filled a very excellent quota.
But I didn't do that because I didn't want to mess up your amazing new life.
But I will never be able to do that because I know that I didn't do everything possible to save my sister.
I do that because I don't want to chase anybody.
I would be able to address you in five of the European languages, but I will not do that because I will get confused myself, so I will stick to two: English and Portuguese.
And I can do that because I absolutely trust you with my son.
I'd never do that because I'm going to be a veterinarian.
And I get to do that because I am a grandma.
I deliver good, fresh, clean milk to the whole village, at a fair price, and I can do that because I've worked hard.
They won't just do that because I ask them to.
As if I do that because I want to.
In my case, it is impossible to do that because I think that Mrs Theorin's report ought to be rejected.
So it looks just like your skin, only I don't have pores, so I can't perspire and I won't get a sunburn.
We need to do that because I think we all agree that we want more cross-border competition, and we also wish to secure the interests of the consumers.
I am not able to do that because I don't have enough money.
I can't do that because there are other people involved.
- You can't do that because if...

Alternatives:

I couldn't do that because I might have gotten a sunburn.
I couldn't do that because I would have gotten a sunburn.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I can't do that because I will get a sunburn."

This phrase indicates a current inability to do something because of the risk of sunburn. It suggests that the speaker is currently unable to take a certain action due to the possibility of getting a sunburn.

Show examples from the web [+]

You know I can't do that because I'm a serious actress now.
I can't do that because I've already spent the expansion budget on this place.
He won't do that because I'll be on the boat with him.
They probably won't do that because I filled a very excellent quota.
So it looks just like your skin, only I don't have pores, so I can't perspire and I won't get a sunburn.
But I didn't do that because I didn't want to mess up your amazing new life.
I can't do that because there are other people involved.
No I can't do that because she's in the stateroom offering support to the birthday girl.
- You can't do that because if...
But they can't do that because somebody has stolen the past.
But I will never be able to do that because I know that I didn't do everything possible to save my sister.
I do that because I don't want to chase anybody.
Live pictures of what's happening in Tahrir Square right now, but we can't do that because our cameras have been taken down.
I would be able to address you in five of the European languages, but I will not do that because I will get confused myself, so I will stick to two: English and Portuguese.
And I can do that because I absolutely trust you with my son.
I'd never do that because I'm going to be a veterinarian.
And I get to do that because I am a grandma.
I deliver good, fresh, clean milk to the whole village, at a fair price, and I can do that because I've worked hard.
They won't just do that because I ask them to.
As if I do that because I want to.

Alternatives:

I can't do that because I might get a sunburn.
I can't do that because I would get a sunburn.

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I couldn't do that because I will get a sunburn. vs I can't do that because I will get a sunburn.