0
Barefootchuck Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

can or have

A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds that ___ a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more.
- could reach
- have reached

website I took the test.. say its have reached. why is that? 

http://a4esl.org/q/h/9807/cr-hurricane.html 
  

Top answer

It means that the winds must have reached that speed in order for the storm to be termed a hurricane.

— GPY

  • It means that the winds must have reached that speed in order for the storm to be termed a hurricane.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
It means that the winds must have reached that speed in order for the storm to be termed a hurricane.
0
0
I can see subtle difference between the two choices, but does that mean the other, "can reach" wouldn't work?
0
0
The definition of a hurricane includes the requirement that it has sustained winds of 74 MPH or more. If the sustained wind speed is less than 74 MPH, even if there are frequent gusts reaching this speed, it is not considered a hurricane. Can reach won't work because this would mean that the wind speed might reach 74 MPH, but the wind is not blowing that fast consistently.
0

Related Questions