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PreciousJones Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

What's the difference between saying:

If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there could be a problem. OR

If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there can be a problem.

Are both useable, and what's the difference between using could or can?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

PreciousJones - 1 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there could be a problem. 2 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there can be a problem. With the if -clause, 1 is better.

— CalifJim

  • PreciousJones - 1 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there could be a problem.
  • 2 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there can be a problem.
  • With the if -clause, 1 is better.
  • It uses 'could' like 'might'.
  • I call this borrowing a past form ( could ) into a present statement (and using it like a present tense form).
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11 Answers
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PreciousJones-
1 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there could be a problem.
2 If she decides to move overseas, finding work over there can be a problem.
With the if-clause, 1 is better. It uses 'could' like 'might'. I call this borrowing a past form (could) into a present statement (and using it like a present tense f
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Thank you for your support and tutelage! Ive got a much better understanding now. I always use could when there's a possibility of something likely to occur, but sometimes that possibility turns out to be a probability, so that's what befuddles me.
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How about two friends talking about their relationship. One says:

We have unconditional love and she can rely on me and I can rely on her. Or

We have unconditional love and she could rely on me and I could rely on her.

SHould it be could or can here?

Thanks!
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Can someone please tell me the difference between:

I can if I really want to. And

I could if I really wanted to.

In my conscious I'm thinking, I can go if I really want to go, but I don't think I should right now, because it's not the right time, therefore I am staying behind.

Which one is the best choice? Thanks!
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I hope these aren't too much for you to take a glance at. Thanks again in advance.
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PreciousJonesSHould it be could or can here?
can. Definitely. When it comes to one person relying on another, you want a strong statement about it. If you say "unconditional love", that's strong. You don't want to contradict yourself by illustrating unconditional love with "Maybe she relies on me; maybe I rely on her", which is what could con
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PreciousJonesI can go if I really want to go, but I don't think I should right now, because it's not the right time, therefore I am staying behind.
If that's what's in your mind, you need could. It's weaker. It's more remote from the action you're anticipating.

CJ
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PreciousJonesI hope these aren't too much for you to take a glance at.
No, they aren't too much. It's just that I sometimes have to take breaks to run errands or have lunch or whatever, so I can't always answer right away.

CJ
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CalifJim PreciousJonesI can go if I really want to go, but I don't think I should right now, because it's not the right time, therefore I am staying behind.If that's what's in your mind, you need could. It's weaker. It's more remote from the action you're anticipating.CJ
OMG, thank you so much!! This really clarifies a lot of questions I've been meaning to po
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Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Everybody who learns English has trouble with the modal verbs. Those four (can, could, will, would) seem to cause most of the trauma.
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