2

I am confused by these alternatives:

  1. This picture cannot be drawn by me
  2. This picture could not be drawn by me
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Arun
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  • The second is related to the active clause "I could not draw this picture." Neither of the passive versions is particularly idiomatic, though. –  Dec 24 '13 at 15:23
  • possible duplicate of [What is difference between "Can", "Could", "Will", "Would", "Shall", and "Should"?](http://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/5251/what-is-difference-between-can-could-will-would-shall-and-should) – ЯegDwight Dec 24 '13 at 15:23
  • I noticed in some grammar site that in active/passive voice conversion,modals are not changing.Hence I think first option seems to be correct. – Arun Dec 24 '13 at 16:11
  • The difference is the same as the difference between: "I am not able to draw the picture" and "I was not able to draw the picture" – Jim Dec 24 '13 at 16:31

1 Answers1

2

The passive voice does not change the tense. Therefore, option 1 is correct.

hunter
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