"We could not do anything for her."

Translation: Wir konnten nichts für sie tun.

[Twoquiche]

Is the word order unacceptable in 'Wir konnten für sie nichts tun'? I got marked wrong...

[AlsEenPoffertje]

I believe this is because prepositional phrases generally go after any verbs, nouns, or pronouns.

Sorry this isn't a very good explanation. I've never actually seen a rule for this. This is just an observation of mine. Maybe a native could confirm? For now, you'll at least have a bit of an idea as to why this is.

[Twoquiche]

Thanks!

[kedi007]

Is it possible to translate it as : Wir könnten für sie nichts machen. I understand that "konnten" is the past form, but can "könnten" also be used here?

[silverblaid]

One of my German teachers said that, "könnten", the Konjunktiv II Form, is not used for the 1st persons, meaning; it doesn't make sense to say "What could I do for you?" rather "What can I do for you?". I think the explanation would be, because you should know what you are capable of doing, even for politeness you wouldn't ask it that way.

[Jeremy_A]

Why not "machen?"

[GeorgeMarq21]

It is accepted now, August 11, 2014.

[AlsEenPoffertje]

I believe "machen" should work here. I don't see why it wouldn't. Maybe it should be reported.

[Kees369161]

"Wir konnten nicht alles für sie tun" is wrong?????