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Alc24 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
"Can" 2 different meanings?
Does this have 2 meaning?
The door can stay open. (does this mean it has the ability to or that you can leave it open if you want)
THank you
The door can stay open. (does this mean it has the ability to or that you can leave it open if you want)
THank you
Top answer
It could mean either, depending on the situation. For example, if someone were wondering if they needed to prop the door open in order for it not to shut, one might say, You don't need to prop it open. It can stay open without being propped.
- It could mean either, depending on the situation.
- For example, if someone were wondering if they needed to prop the door open in order for it not to shut, one might say, You don't need to prop it open.
- It can stay open without being propped.
- (although, I would tend to say, "It will stay open without being propped," but can is not incorrect, as it means the door has the ability to stay open without being propped.
- Or, if you mean that it is permissable to leave the door open you might say to someone exiting your office, "The door can stay open," meaning you don't need for them to shut it as you don't require privacy at the moment.
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2 Answers
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It could mean either, depending on the situation.
For example, if someone were wondering if they needed to prop the door open in order for it not to shut, one might say,
You don't need to prop it open. It can stay open without being propped. (although, I would tend to say, "It will stay open without being propped," but can is not incorrect, as it means the door has the ability
For example, if someone were wondering if they needed to prop the door open in order for it not to shut, one might say,
You don't need to prop it open. It can stay open without being propped. (although, I would tend to say, "It will stay open without being propped," but can is not incorrect, as it means the door has the ability
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Thank you for the explanation Sam.
I had one other example please.
Does this mean 2 things too?
She can't find out how many I ate. (2 meanings: 1 she won't be able to. 2 I can't afford for her to find out.)
Can you also say "I can't afford for her to find out or else I'm dead."
Thank you
I had one other example please.
Does this mean 2 things too?
She can't find out how many I ate. (2 meanings: 1 she won't be able to. 2 I can't afford for her to find out.)
Can you also say "I can't afford for her to find out or else I'm dead."
Thank you
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