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Tamguatlay Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Can vs could

I wish that life in high school can/could be less stressful.

Can either word be used?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

tamguatlay Can either word be used? I think 'No', because "I wish (that)" is followed by a past form . Hence, only I wish (that) life in high school could be less stressful is correct.

— Laborious

  • tamguatlay Can either word be used?
  • I think 'No', because "I wish (that)" is followed by a past form .
  • Hence, only I wish (that) life in high school could be less stressful is correct.
  • Another example would be "I wish I could help you".
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4 Answers
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tamguatlayCan either word be used?
I think 'No', because "I wish (that)" is followed by a past form. Hence, only I wish (that) life in high school could be less stressful is correct. Another example would be "I wish I could help you". 
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Laborious is right in that 'could' is the correct form.

I prefer to say that 'I wish that' is followed by a distancing form:

I wish it could be less stressful. - It can't be less stressfull. Distencing in reality.
I could play the violin when I was seven. - Distancing in vividness/time.
Could you lend me £10, ple
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Thanks, fivejedjon.

Could you lend me £10, please(?)

I sometimes see a question mark used. Is it optional?
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tamguatlayCould you lend me £10, please(?)I sometimes see a question mark used. Is it optional?
Some people use simply a full stop, considering that the words are equivalent in meaning to Please lend me £10. I believe that the request is framed as a question and requires a question mark.
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