1. He could have given me some advice.

(Does this sentence mean that he didn't give me some advice?)

2. He cold have told a lie.
(Does this sentence mean that he didn't told a lie? Or does #2 mean #3?)

3. He may have told a lie.

1 answer

1. Right, he didn't give advice even though he could have.

2. I'd take this to mean he could have but didn't.

3. This is different. There is doubt whether he told a lie or not.