we couldn't find vs we can't find

Both "we couldn't find" and "we can't find" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "We couldn't find" is used when referring to a past situation where the search was unsuccessful, while "we can't find" is used in the present to indicate the current inability to locate something.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 3102 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a past situation where the search was unsuccessful.

"we couldn't find"

This phrase is used to talk about a situation in the past where efforts to find something were unsuccessful. It indicates a lack of success in locating the desired item.

Examples:

We couldn't find the keys yesterday.
They couldn't find the restaurant they were looking for.
I couldn't find my phone after the party.

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But we couldn't find the mini-dome anywhere.
There was nothing, we couldn't find anybody.
I can't believe we couldn't find one couple friend.
Boss, we couldn't find the owners of the five houses.
But when it came time to leave, we couldn't find Nicky.
And that is why you looked relieved when we couldn't find the book.
But we couldn't find any bacitracin.
Maybe there's another target we couldn't find it.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find your son Mirza.
We'll check the rifles, but we couldn't find any casings.
That's why we couldn't find your bracelet.
We investigated those who stayed, but we couldn't find any connection to the Sixers.
And that's it, we couldn't find anything prior to six months ago.
But we couldn't find any brochures or S.A.T. applications or anything like that.
Even though we couldn't find any proof of barrow being there?
And that's why we settled; because we couldn't find anything.
We can't officially close our investigation Because we couldn't find any financial or chemical evidence That fran was in possession of the poison.
That's why you tortured that girl, because we couldn't find your brother.
And with the short notice and Thanksgiving coming up, we couldn't find a neutral site.
Look, there's no easy way to tell you this, but we couldn't find the pregnancy.

Alternatives:

We were unable to find
We didn't find
We failed to find
We were unsuccessful in finding
We searched but couldn't find

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the current inability to locate something.

"we can't find"

This phrase is used to express the present inability to find something. It implies that the search is ongoing and the item has not been located yet.

Examples:

We can't find the remote control anywhere.
I can't find my glasses. Have you seen them?
They can't find their way back to the hotel.

Show examples from the web [+]

Boss, we can't find Madam Kao.
Your husband's disappeared and we can't find the accomplice.
If he is involved, we can't find a connection.
No, because we can't find any housing.
No wonder we can't find anything about this guy online.
No wonder we can't find anything about this guy online.
Factory is locked and we can't find key.
12 - and we can't find Stepashin.
Except we can't find a match in any database.
And we can't find brian.
Well, we can't find Richard Lawson.
We think New Orleans, but we can't find an address.
Raven, we can't find the ignition system.
But with both our schedules, we can't find any time.
And we can't find any of them.
Because we can't find it referenced anywhere.
And we can't find anything that says she existed before 10 years ago.
Now we can't find a replacement for Gaby still.
That could explain why we can't find Taylor and Brady.
Hotel's booked, and we can't find his reservation.

Alternatives:

We are unable to find
We are having trouble finding
We are struggling to find
We are searching but can't find
We are looking for but can't find

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we couldn't find vs we can't find

"we couldn't find"

"we can't find"

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