Questions tagged [can-modal]
The can-modal tag has no usage guidance.
22
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Be careful climbing that tree. You (can / could) fall
Be careful climbing that tree. You (can / could) fall.
The answer is "could".
I would choose "could" if I had to, but I can't seem to explain why "can" doesn't work here....
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can and could difference
A) Do you think I could have a career as a catcher?
This is a quote from The Peanuts.
B) Do you think I can have a career as a catcher?
Would there be any difference between A and B? Since I'm not a ...
- 530
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54
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Can you, Will you, Could you and Would you?
One of my textbooks says that "would you ~?" is the politest of the four to ask someone a favor.
Another textbook, however, says that "will you" is the least polite and that "...
- 530
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When you ask someone a favor, which is more appropriate, "Can you" or "Are you able to"?
https://poligo.com/ja/node/4096
This website says "Can you cook?" means "Do you know how to cook?" and that "Are you able to cook?" means "Do you have time to cook?&...
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"Can" and "be able to"
https://poligo.com/ja/node/4096
I'm confused with the explanation on the website. It says that when you talk about ability, both "can" and "be able to" are OK, and that the ...
- 530
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Make a point of
'You can borrow my car if you like' is a more gracious offer
than 'You may borrow it'; the first presumes the granting of
permission, while the second makes a point of it.
CONTEXT (I find the ...
- 695
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21
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"Can" can be used in the past?
About the title, I didn't mean something like: Did you can... (because, of course we can use in the past since there's "did"). What I've known, could can also be the past simple form of can.
...
- 4,093
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Can I use 'can' for making suggestions?
All of the grammar books I've read say I have to use 'could' for making suggestions, but none of them say so about 'can'. My question is: Is it valid to use 'can' for making suggestions? For example:
...
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52
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You can stay here if you like
You can roast chicken whole or in pieces if you want to/if you like.
You could roast chicken whole or in pieces if you want to/if you like.
You can stay here if you like.
Q1) Does sentence (1) ...
- 708
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Can have p.p. VS could have p.p.?
What is difference between these two sentences? Are these both grammatically right?
Where could jack have put the matches?
Where can jack have put the matches?
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Will _ would and Can_Could differences
I read the below article in "The Hindu" newspaper:
The state government has imposed restrictions on gatherings with immediate effect. Only 50 persons would be allowed at gatherings. The ...
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64
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"Can": meaning in general and particular contexts
Suppose my friend John is going to cycle in the city. Before he leaves the house, I say this to him to warn him against cycling in the city:
It can be dangerous to cycle in the city if you don't stay ...
- 708
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1
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21
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Which should we use?'Can' or 'could'?
Is it possible to use 'can' instead of 'could' in this sentence?
It encouraged me to bring my old coats for the homeless so that they could stay warm.
- 53
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23
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cannot be diligent
Someone told me "cannot" isn't used properly in the following because it means "incapable or unwilling." Do you think it's incorrectly used? I saw it being used to talk about ...
- 4,699
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Is there a difference between "can't" or "couldn't"?
He spoke so quickly that I can't understand him at all.
He spoke so quickly that I couldn't understand him at all.
What is more correct?
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can - be able to in the same sentence
Is it possible to use them in the same sentence? For example,
I can swim, but today I am not able to, because I have hurt my leg.
Many natives find the sentence not idiomatic. What do you say?
- 2,781
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Can't have + V3 or Couldn't have + V3
Is there any difference between the following sentences?
If Jones was at work until six, he can't have done the murder.
If Jones was at work until six, he couldn't have done the murder.
- 10.6k
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Can/will vs could/would in IF clause
I have a question about can vs could in the IF clause.
If you could contact us directly, it would be helpful.
If you can contact us directly, it will be helpful.
Which one do you think is ...
- 562
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102
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(Why + can) - Is it a possible structure?
If I said:
It can be insecure since it has two possible ways of getting forged.
Then, would it be possible to ask the question like this:
Why can it be insecure?
I find it unnatural and maybe ...
- 2,452
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170
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Could have vs could in an example (single event vs longer time period)
I would like to know whether I get it right:
The siblings lived with abusive parents. They could run away anytime if they
wanted.
Would this be correct if I mean this as their ability over the ...
- 1,615
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1
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How can I convince people that Could is the past form of Can?
Here in Korea, a lot of public educations are not in a great state. People have been educated too simply that the past "Tense" of Can is Could. But they never learned or been told deeply, so they get ...
- 1,924
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169
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Can vs. Will be able to
We use can to talk about future actions which we will be able to do because of present ability, present circumstances, present decisions etc.
• She can win the race tomorrow if she tries really ...
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