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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

can / could?

1. How can/could you treat me like this after all I've done for you?
2. Who can/could be calling at this hour?
3. What can/could that be?
I don't think they're all the same in meaning.
Is there any difference in nuance?
  

Top answer

1. "Can" gives stronger statement - the speaker might be angry. "Could" gives a milder statement - the speaker might be more hurt than angry.

— Anonymous

  • 1.
  • "Can" gives stronger statement - the speaker might be angry.
  • "Could" gives a milder statement - the speaker might be more hurt than angry.
  • 2.
  • Again, "can" gives a stronger statement - the speaker might be irritated at the lateness of the call.
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3 Answers
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1. "Can" gives stronger statement - the speaker might be angry. "Could" gives a milder statement - the speaker might be more hurt than angry.

2. Again, "can" gives a stronger statement - the speaker might be irritated at the lateness of the call. "Could" gives a milder statement - the speaker is more mystified than irritated at the lateness of the call.

3. "Can" gives a str
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Thanks. It helps.
I would be glad to get some more opinions about it.
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There is little more to add to what has already been said above. As stated there, "can" makes a stronger impression than "could" in these types of questions. You understand the difference between "can" and "could" in these contexts if you understand the difference between "do" and "would do". The first is direct; the second is indirect.

How is it that you treat me like this ...? / How
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