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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

can "could" replace can in a present tense sentence ?

Hi Micawber,

I saw your sentence "Could you type in your complete sentence again and carefully, please?" posted in one of the topics.

I have seen lot of people using could where i think can should be used.. Does "could" in above sentence means "if possible, can" ?

thanks,

Sharad.
  

Top answer

It is a distancing mechanism, for courtesy. Can you shut the window? -- Mother to child Could you shut the window?

— Mister Micawber

  • It is a distancing mechanism, for courtesy.
  • Can you shut the window?
  • -- Mother to child Could you shut the window?
  • -- Acquaintance to acquaintance
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2 Answers
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It is a distancing mechanism, for courtesy.

Can you shut the window? -- Mother to child
Could you shut the window? -- Acquaintance to acquaintance
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Yeah, I like the way politeness can do that. 'William JOSEPH Smith, will you come inside and have your dinner?' is angry but 'William, will you come inside and have your dinner?' might not be.

Also: sorry, off the topic, is there a conjunction forum here? Trying to figure out when to use commas, esp. in 'but' sentences, as above.
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