Can and could?
Do something you’ve never thought you can/could do.
Can I use both “can” and “could” in the sentence above? Which would you most likely use?
Top answer
" Your appraisal of its doability is in the past with your thinking. The present perfect makes it sound like the thought did not occur to you, but what you mean is that it always seemed impossible. Anyway, the simple past is natural there in my US English.
- " Your appraisal of its doability is in the past with your thinking.
- The present perfect makes it sound like the thought did not occur to you, but what you mean is that it always seemed impossible.
- Anyway, the simple past is natural there in my US English.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
I would make that "Do something you never thought you could do." Your appraisal of its doability is in the past with your thinking. The present perfect makes it sound like the thought did not occur to you, but what you mean is that it always seemed impossible. Anyway, the simple past is natural there in my US English.
0teacherJapanDo something you’ve never thought you can/could do.
Can I use both “can” and “could” in the sentence above? No.
Which would you most likely use? could
Time line. Past > > > > Present > > > > Future
.................... coul
0
Related Questions