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MFarooq Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Could

Hello,

Why is "Could" used in the following dialogue?

A: Miss Mari on busy day like today. I think you COULD find something to occupy yourself. Like a customer.

B: Yes,miss daily.

Is could used in the dialogue "A" to show possibility or suggession?

Thanks
  

Top answer

” It is a managerial request of an employee, with a somewhat sarcastic suggestion. It passes as both humour and possibility. Since the implication is that the suggestion is really an order, you can choose to think of it as a hint.

  • ” It is a managerial request of an employee, with a somewhat sarcastic suggestion.
  • It passes as both humour and possibility.
  • Since the implication is that the suggestion is really an order, you can choose to think of it as a hint.
  • If you were to omit the final three words (Like a customer), it would be a suggestion.
  • ”, you could think of it as a possibility.
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1 Answers
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A: Miss Mari: “On a busy day like today, I think you could find something to occupy yourself, like a customer!”
B: Employee: “Yes, Miss Mari.”

It is a managerial request of an employee, with a somewhat sarcastic suggestion. It passes as both humour and possibility. Since the implication is that the suggestion is really an order, you can choose to think of it as a hint. I

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