Learn English – “Could not be reached” or “could not have been reached”

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What is the difference between the emboldened parts below:

We all love and respect Dadlani and he is a great friend. We will
speak to him about his decision. As for his statement on the religious
leader, I do not think if a religious preacher, who gives a good
message to society speaks at a certain forum, there is anything wrong
about it. Dadlani…

  1. could not be reached for comment.

  2. could not have been reached for comment.

What is the difference between

a) Could not be reached for comment.

b) Could not have been reached for comment.

Best Answer

It's a very subtle difference. "Could not have" is used to definitively declare that an impossibility occurred in the past. As in, it was impossible for the person to be reached. It assumes the writer has full knowledge of the possibility of an activity. "Could not be" expresses that an attempt was made by the writer to reach the person, but it was unsuccessful.

An example is: "He could not have taken a call at 5pm because he was on a flight to Baltimore." The person declaring that would have to have that knowledge to know the impossibility. Another person who didn't have such knowledge would say, "I attempted to call him, but he could not be reached." They don't know why he couldn't be reached, or that it was impossible to do so.

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