If i could not make the payment vs if i cannot make the payment

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'If I could not make the payment' is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past or present, while 'if I cannot make the payment' is used to talk about a current or future situation. The choice between them depends on the tense you want to convey.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 3898 views

This phrase is correct and is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past or present.

"If i could not make the payment"

This phrase is used to discuss a situation that is not currently happening, but could have happened in the past or could still happen in the present. It implies a condition that is not true or uncertain.

Examples:

If I could not make the payment last month, I would have asked for an extension.
If I could not make the payment now, I would inform the bank immediately.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'd take a new Chevy if I could make the payments.
And if you do make the payments, I feel for you because you will not be able to eat or pay rent.
The security guards came when called but - you are probably not aware of this - I could not make a phone call outside Belgium.
The thing I found strange was that I could not make out the details of the woman's face even when she drew very close.
...as the sweetest sister of which I could not make less
Now that you have successfully thwarted me... and placed in my path the only obstacle... which I could not make provision for... I feel I can tell you I have never really enjoyed your company very much.
Could not make the folder %1 on the server.
Madam President, I would like to make the point that you could not make this up today.
If the State makes these payments, they must be counted as aid [7].
And the women came with their stories about men who could not make the transition, angry and inflexible, and troubled children caught between two worlds.
Member States should not make the acceptance of the European firearms pass conditional upon the payment of any fee or charge.
And Jove himself could not make her care.
Michael Scott could not make it today due to an unforeseen prior engagement.
Could not make folder %1.
You really could not make some of this stuff up.
Madam President, the Amsterdam Treaty could not make friends with Blue Europe.
And ultimately, due to capacity issues, we could not make Jules part of Arcadia Prep.
You could not make me the offer of your hand in any way that would tempt me to accept it.
You could not make a more damaging and unjust accusation against me.
We can make folds that we otherwise could not make.

Alternatives:

If I were unable to make the payment
If I had not been able to make the payment

This phrase is correct and is used to talk about a current or future situation.

"if i cannot make the payment"

This phrase is used to discuss a situation that is currently happening or might happen in the future. It implies a condition that is true or likely to happen.

Examples:

If I cannot make the payment by the due date, I will incur late fees.
If I cannot make the payment next month, I will need to seek financial assistance.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'd take a new Chevy if I could make the payments.
And if you do make the payments, I feel for you because you will not be able to eat or pay rent.
I cannot make the face anymore.
I cannot make the Member States' technical staff go there, because they refuse to do so.
I mean no disrespect to the rapporteur, and I hope he will forgive me for saying that I cannot make the same comments about his own report.
I cannot make the technical staff who normally work in Brussels go there, because they think it is a very difficult country to work in, for internal reasons.
I cannot make sticky with anyone else.
If the State makes these payments, they must be counted as aid [7].
When it cannot make the payments on time, you give it more rural development money to squander.
If I cannot make a mirror from a tile, how can you become a Buddha by sitting to practise Zen?
And I cannot make it better.
I cannot make a habit of this.
I cannot make it stop, Jack.
Look, I cannot make a decision right now.
But I cannot make this decision.
I cannot make that same mistake again.
I cannot make it blossom when it suits me.
I cannot make it any plainer, William.
I cannot make any man love me.
I cannot make out the future.

Alternatives:

If I am unable to make the payment
If I am not able to make the payment

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If i could not make the payment vs if i cannot make the payment