Can/could/may/might
1) The most we can expect is a slight cut in the sales-tax. (this is what is reasonable or acceptable)
2) With a new wind generation record of 4,131 megawatts set on 14 September, the question of how far the UK's wind generation fleet can help in meeting our climate targets is increasingly controversial. Now it can be shown that the sceptics who lobby against wind simply have their facts wrong. (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2012/sep/26/myth-wind-turbines-carbon-emissions)
a) Can I use "could" in place of "can" in (1) and (2)? If so, does it change the meaning?
b) Can I use "may" or "might" in place of "can" in (1) and (2)?
Top answer
Hi It's a good question. In modern speech English, those four words are used very loosely and there's not much to choose between them. Very roughly: - I can do it (= I have the power to do it, physical or mental.
- Hi It's a good question.
- In modern speech English, those four words are used very loosely and there's not much to choose between them.
- Very roughly: - I can do it (= I have the power to do it, physical or mental.
- I can walk fifteen miles) - I may do it (= strictly speaking, this means that I am socially or politically allowed to.
- As a citizen, I may insist on speaking to my local political representative, if that's what I choose to do.
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Hi
It's a good question. In modern speech English, those four words are used very loosely and there's not much to choose between them. Very roughly:
- I can do it
(= I have the power to do it, physical or mental. I can walk fifteen miles)
- I may do it
(= strictly speaking, this means that I am socially or politically allowed to. As a citizen, I may insist on
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