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Zach Boyer Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Can or Could?

So I'm doing this writing assignment … it's a narrative in the present tense … only sometimes I have to divert back out of the narrative and talk about the larger issue aside from the story …This would be one of those times. So knowing all that, this is the sentence: "There is nothing about them that can/could be interpreted as being in any way …" The sentence goes on, but that's the part I'm stuck on. Is there a definitive rule here or is this just the writer's preference? Thanks! —Zach
  

Top answer

Zach Boyer There is nothing about them that can/could be interpreted ... Both are correct. "can" lends more of a sense of confidence to the opinion.

— CalifJim

  • Zach Boyer There is nothing about them that can/could be interpreted ...
  • Both are correct.
  • "can" lends more of a sense of confidence to the opinion.
  • "could" is less confident and perhaps recognizes that other opinions may be possible.
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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Zach BoyerThere is nothing about them that can/could be interpreted ...
Both are correct. "can" lends more of a sense of confidence to the opinion. "could" is less confident and perhaps recognizes that other opinions may be possible.

CJ
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