Can: ability or possiblility

Question

I wish Tv could contain more programs on nature.My car can't go faster.these drugs can cause harmful sideeffects.In the examples, does can or could show ability or possibility?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Possibility.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI wish Tv could contain more programs on nature.

I don't find this one very idiomatic. I wish TV contained more programs on nature.

AnonymousMy car can't go faster.

It is not possible for my car to go faster. Possibility.
My car is not able to go faster. Ability.

AnonymousThese drugs can cause harmful side effects.

It's possible that they will cause these effects. Possibility.
They have the ability to cause these effects. Ability.

AnonymousIn the examples, does can or could show ability or possibility?

As shown above, you can paraphrase these sentences in different ways, emphasizing one of the other aspect of "can" and "could".

CJ

Can: ability or possiblility

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