Question

hello,

 

what is the difference between "could + simple present" and "could be + gerund"?

 

thanks

Answer 1

I think the first one is used to express a generally fact, and the second one is used to tell tha in this moment something is happening:

Examples:

1) He could wait for her= This means that GENERALLY he can wait for her (but maybe he won't, because "Could" is the conditional tense of "Can"); In Spanish= él podría esperarla (pero parece que no lo hará);

2) He could be waiting for her= This means that maybe he is waiting for her RIGHT NOW, probably in this moment; In Spanish= él podría estar esperandola justo ahora, en este momento;

I Hope it's usefull

Bye