TransWikia.com

Couldn't have been more wrong vs Couldn't be more wrong

English Language & Usage Asked on June 12, 2021

Is there a difference between ‘I couldn’t have been more wrongˇ and ‘I couldn’t be more wrong’ if used after a sentence like ‘I thought he would appreciate the gesture’?

2 Answers

The only difference I see is past tense versus current tense: WAS wrong versus AM wrong. It is an extremely minor difference and probably irrelevant in most cases. Although, personally, as the example sentence is past tense, I would use 'couldn't have been", also past tense.

A grammarian might have a different view?

Answered by mtugglet on June 12, 2021

If you couldn't be more wrong, why don't you change your opinion, so that you were wrong but no longer are?

On the other hand, that jerk of a neighbor of yours was wrong and still is. In fact, he couldn't be more wrong, but he refuses to change.

Answered by Hot Licks on June 12, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP