Questions tagged [could-modal]
The could-modal tag has no usage guidance.
32
questions
1
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1answer
43 views
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) ...
2
votes
1answer
23 views
Is "I would be happy if I can return the favor” grammatically correct?
You have been a tremendous help to me and I would be very happy if I can return the favor in the future.
Let's consider that someone has helped me in the past and I am talking to this person and now ...
0
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2answers
26 views
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?
1
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2answers
23 views
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 ...
0
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1answer
41 views
Is using “could” in an “if” clause, like “If you could…” grammatical?
Today, I was watching this YouTube video, I found that at 1:18, she used the 'could' in the if-clause.
I just want to know, is it right grammatically, or is it a new grammar rule that I don't know?
...
0
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1answer
37 views
if I had enough money, I could buy a 20-room mansion
In the morning, person A says:
if my leg were not injured, I would attend the party tonight.
if I knew his home address, I could go to his house to meet him tonight.
if I had enough money, I could ...
0
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0answers
9 views
Can vs Could difference in usage
While I was just watching Instagram, I saw a post by some celebrity. In that video he said:
Hellow guys, I could not be more excited for today's post
What if we use can not Instead of could not here?...
0
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0answers
26 views
Do words such as “could have”, “should have”, or “might have” represent the past possibilities of the past?
We know that words such as could have, should have, or might have mean past possibilities.
When they are used in a noun clause following a verb, do they represent the past possibilities of the past?
...
1
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1answer
19 views
“could” is used for past ability or ability now(or future)?
Social media services also enabled people to publicize their views on new songs, list their new favorite bands in their social media bios, and argue over new music endlessly on message boards. The ...
0
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1answer
39 views
<could usage> She could be very unkind
She could be very unkind.
In the above sentence, what is this "could" usage?
I mean, this could has a similar meaning to "would"(would do something used for talking about things ...
2
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1answer
18 views
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.
0
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2answers
74 views
“How couldn't I do” vs. “how couldn't I have done” in the sense of criticiizing oneself for failure to do something in the past
Could you tell me if I have to use how couldn't I or how couldn't have I in the sense of criticizing oneself for failure to do something in the past? For example:
The problem turns out to be so easy. ...
0
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1answer
49 views
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?
1
vote
1answer
354 views
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.
2
votes
1answer
45 views
Modal verbs: difference betweeen ¨Would¨ and ¨Could¨
I have a question: when I could use the modal verb ¨Could¨ and when ¨Would¨ because for me is similar. I know ¨Would¨ we can use it in very polite situations like ¨would you like a cup of coffee¨. But ...
0
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1answer
118 views
could vs might (for expressing the future possibility)
Could vs might(for the future possibility)
I could go there.
I might go there.
I know that these two sentences talk about less possibility to go there.
but, I can’t know their slight difference.
When ...
0
votes
2answers
106 views
could vs might (for the future possibility)
Could vs might(for the future possibility)
I could go there.
I might go there.
I know that these two sentences talk about less possibility to go there.
but, I can’t know their slight difference.
...
0
votes
1answer
736 views
Why some people use could instead of can [duplicate]
Why some people use could instead of can (in the simple present tense)
For example,
Could you open the door?
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Is it correct and natural to use the question “how could you have done it?” when expressing disbelief or surprise?
Is it correcr natural to use the question how could you have done it? when expressing disbelief or surprise? For example:
So you are saying you made it. How could you have done it? You can't even ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Usage of Could have
It’s ten o’clock. They could have arrived now.
Does this “could have” indicates they “could have” but they didn’t? If my conclusion is correct, Are there anyother possible interpretations or not?
0
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1answer
14 views
Usage of modal verb Could
How could we spend this time on the island?
Does this mean 1)It is impossible or difficult for us to spend time in the island? Or 2) What are the possible means to stay in the forest?
If the ...
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0answers
9 views
Usage and understanding of could
I could go to the cinema.
As I am not a native speaker, usage of modal verbs is always confusing to me. I understand the above sentence in following cases. So please say if I am wrong.
Case1: It is ...
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0answers
176 views
Were you able to x Could you
I sent an e-mail to a customer, but he still hasn't answered me. Now, in order to reinforce, should I say:
Were you able to check out the attached settlement proposal?
or
Could you check out the ...
0
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0answers
22 views
Can/Could have done = Can/Could it be so that
I recently saw such a phrase:
I can have done it
Can it be a contraction of
It can be so that I have done it ?
The same with
I could have done it = It could be so that I had done it
Or these ...
0
votes
2answers
207 views
“How could you have done it?” vs “How did you manage to do it”
Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between the question how could you have done it and how did you manage to do it? For example:
The match seemed impossible to pull off, but ...
1
vote
1answer
218 views
What is the difference between “how could you do” and “how could have you done” when used to express critisism or annoyance?
What is the difference between how could you do and how could have you done when used to express critisism or annoyance? For example:
You took Dad's car without asking. How could you do that!
...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
I couldn't / wasn't able to drink coffee (come home late) when I was 10 years old
Please, help me to understand the usage of these modals better.
As I think, the most appropriate answer is
I wasn't able to drink coffee (come home late) when I was 10 years old.
because these ...
2
votes
2answers
65 views
“Could not but” in interrogative sentence
Is the following sentence grammatically correct to write in literature?
How could I not but close my eyes?
As "I could not but close my eyes" is a valid sentence, I felt like this one should also ...
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0answers
1k views
use of could / would - correct the sentence - I like that piece of furniture. I wish it could fit in my apartment
I like that piece of furniture. I wish it could fit in my apartment.
Options: -
was able to fit
might
would
My answer: I like that piece of furniture. I wish it would fit in my ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
Is “could not have been done” more appropriate here? [closed]
An extract from today's newspaper:
Despite our best efforts and the hard work of various organizations, the boy could not be retrieved so far.
Should I use: ...the boy could not have been ...
1
vote
3answers
24 views
“could” vs “could not” in this sentence?
"His dance was unbelievable! I don't know if even (I could do
it/could have done it)"
Just something that I want to say about a friend's dance performance last night.I think it should be "could ...
0
votes
1answer
202 views
How could have vs How could [duplicate]
How could we have spent this time on the island?
How could we spend this time on the island?
What is the difference between those two sentences ?
