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Postmodernbliss Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Can vs. Could / Bad vs. Badly
Hello,
When asking a question, I was taught that using can is essentially inquiring as to a person's ability to do something, whereas asking a question with could is asking about the possiblity something can be done. As such, is the following question framed correctly:
(I am writing to Apple) Can you please explain why you changed your phone application system?
Could you please explain why you changed your phone applicationsystem?
I think the first one is better, but I don't know why. I know that could is considered more polite, but I would like to know the reason why my first answer is/isn't correct.
In regard to bad and badly, I know that bad is used with emotions (i.e. I feel bad,) and after linking verb (i.e. It was bad, It seems bad). Conversely, badly is used with actions (i.e. I did badly last nite). However, with the verb did, we wouldn't say "I did a badly job." We would say "I did a bad job." I am confused here.
Many kinds thanks to any and all who reply.
When asking a question, I was taught that using can is essentially inquiring as to a person's ability to do something, whereas asking a question with could is asking about the possiblity something can be done. As such, is the following question framed correctly:
(I am writing to Apple) Can you please explain why you changed your phone application system?
Could you please explain why you changed your phone applicationsystem?
I think the first one is better, but I don't know why. I know that could is considered more polite, but I would like to know the reason why my first answer is/isn't correct.
In regard to bad and badly, I know that bad is used with emotions (i.e. I feel bad,) and after linking verb (i.e. It was bad, It seems bad). Conversely, badly is used with actions (i.e. I did badly last nite). However, with the verb did, we wouldn't say "I did a badly job." We would say "I did a bad job." I am confused here.
Many kinds thanks to any and all who reply.
Top answer
postmodernbliss is the following question framed correctly: ... Can you please explain why you changed your phone application system? Could you please explain why you changed your phone applicationsystem?
- postmodernbliss is the following question framed correctly: ...
- Can you please explain why you changed your phone application system?
- Could you please explain why you changed your phone applicationsystem?
- Both are fine.
- Like you, I prefer the first.
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1 Answers
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postmodernblissis the following question framed correctly:Both are fine. Like you, I prefer the first. The second may be more polite, but it's also less direct, and I suppose that I prefer
... Can you please explain why you changed your phone application system?
Could you please explain why you changed your phone applicationsystem?
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