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This question was influenced by this onethis one. I think there is a situation when 'could not [verb]' implies that some attempts were made.

I could not find him.

I could not come up with a context that would be free of the implication that the subject actually tried to find him.

Can you comment on this? Approve or disprove it.

This question was influenced by this one. I think there is a situation when 'could not [verb]' implies that some attempts were made.

I could not find him.

I could not come up with a context that would be free of the implication that the subject actually tried to find him.

Can you comment on this? Approve or disprove it.

This question was influenced by this one. I think there is a situation when 'could not [verb]' implies that some attempts were made.

I could not find him.

I could not come up with a context that would be free of the implication that the subject actually tried to find him.

Can you comment on this? Approve or disprove it.

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"could not [verb]" might strictly imply that attempts were made

This question was influenced by this one. I think there is a situation when 'could not [verb]' implies that some attempts were made.

I could not find him.

I could not come up with a context that would be free of the implication that the subject actually tried to find him.

Can you comment on this? Approve or disprove it.