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Lunchbox Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
can vs. could
Hi!
I have a question about when to use can or could. Here's an example:
"While I get along with most people very well, I can see how not getting along with a co-worker could affect the workplace."
Can someone tell me why they used "could affect the workplace" there instead of "can affect the workplace"?
According to this page (http://www.englishpage.com/modals/could.html ), "could" is used when expressing possibility, such as in "John could be the one who stole the money." Is this why "could" was used in my sample sentence and not "can"?
Here is another one:
Q: How would you handle a situation where a customer is angry at you or the company?
A: I would listen to the customer explain why they are upset and I would do everything I can to solve the problem and make sure they leave satisfied.
Why did they use "everything I can" instead of "everything I could"? Is it because "can" carries a meaning of "having the means to" or "to be able to" more so than "could," thus it was more appropriate to use can there? I think it sounds more natural to say "I would do everything I can to solve the problem..." but the reason for WHY that is, I have no idea.
I have a question about when to use can or could. Here's an example:
"While I get along with most people very well, I can see how not getting along with a co-worker could affect the workplace."
Can someone tell me why they used "could affect the workplace" there instead of "can affect the workplace"?
According to this page (http://www.englishpage.com/modals/could.html ), "could" is used when expressing possibility, such as in "John could be the one who stole the money." Is this why "could" was used in my sample sentence and not "can"?
Here is another one:
Q: How would you handle a situation where a customer is angry at you or the company?
A: I would listen to the customer explain why they are upset and I would do everything I can to solve the problem and make sure they leave satisfied.
Why did they use "everything I can" instead of "everything I could"? Is it because "can" carries a meaning of "having the means to" or "to be able to" more so than "could," thus it was more appropriate to use can there? I think it sounds more natural to say "I would do everything I can to solve the problem..." but the reason for WHY that is, I have no idea.
Top answer
" could affect: it might affect, possible, but not sure, more doubtful in that respect Strongly suggest making a search (top right Search box) with can could there are many great threads already out there.
- " could affect: it might affect, possible, but not sure, more doubtful in that respect Strongly suggest making a search (top right Search box) with can could there are many great threads already out there.
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7 Answers
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"While I get along with most people very well, I can see how not getting along with a co-worker could affect the workplace."
could affect: it might affect, possible, but not sure, more doubtful in that respect
Strongly suggest making a search (top right Search box) with
can could
there are many great threads already out there.
could affect: it might affect, possible, but not sure, more doubtful in that respect
Strongly suggest making a search (top right Search box) with
can could
there are many great threads already out there.
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So "could" has a more doubtful tone to it than the word "can"? I just don't understand why the writer chose to use "could" instead of "can." Thanks for the suggestion, though. I'll try it.
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I can see how not getting along with a co-worker could affect the workplace.
You're talking about a hypothetical situation. That is, you're talking about the situation of not getting along with a co-worker in the abstract. You're talking about its effect on the workplace hypothetically -- in the abstract. You're not talking about an actual case of not getting alon
You're talking about a hypothetical situation. That is, you're talking about the situation of not getting along with a co-worker in the abstract. You're talking about its effect on the workplace hypothetically -- in the abstract. You're not talking about an actual case of not getting alon
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Thanks CJ!
-- I have to attend a funeral for my boss's pet pig.
-- It couldn't be that bad. You'll manage, I'm sure.
The use of could (or might) is better than can for showing this hypothetical way of thinking about the relationship.Is the quoted reason why you used "couldn't" here instead of "can"?
-- I have to attend a funeral for my boss's pet pig.
-- It couldn't be that bad. You'll manage, I'm sure.
1.
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Is the quoted reason why you used "couldn't" here instead of "can"?
Yes, I suppose you could look at it that way.
could may be treated as a weaker form of can -- a form that shows more remoteness from reality.
___________
I am as happy as I could ever be
could is appropriate here, yes, with the meaning you want.
Yes, I suppose you could look at it that way.
could may be treated as a weaker form of can -- a form that shows more remoteness from reality.
___________
I am as happy as I could ever be
could is appropriate here, yes, with the meaning you want.
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0 I have to disagree with you. Using 01 i 00 could 02 i 00 with 01 i 00 would 02 i 00 sounds redundant. You have already expressed a hypothetical situation by using the former, so there's no need to reiterate the concept further with the latter. 0-
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I totally agree with this statement..
Can goes with will and could goes with would
Can goes with will and could goes with would
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