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Spinyman Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Could and might

Hello.

I wonder what's the exact difference between could and might.

"She could have invited him to come in"

"She might have invited him to come in"

Thanks.
  

Top answer

There isn't much difference. Both have multiple meanings, and they are nearly the same meanings. It's just that the likelihood of using one of these instead of another for a given meaning is a little different.

— CalifJim

  • There isn't much difference.
  • Both have multiple meanings, and they are nearly the same meanings.
  • It's just that the likelihood of using one of these instead of another for a given meaning is a little different.
  • spinyman "She could have invited him to come in" 1.
  • She had the ability to invite him to come in.
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4 Answers
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There isn't much difference. Both have multiple meanings, and they are nearly the same meanings. It's just that the likelihood of using one of these instead of another for a given meaning is a little different.

spinyman"She could have invited him to come in"
1. She had the ability to invite him to come in.
2. Maybe she invited him to come in.
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Thank you, CJ! Hence one more question: if a guy had all the chances to get invited by a girl but she didn't invite him for unknown reasons. Then a friend of that guy would say: "And yet, she could have invite you. I don't understand why she didn't" Is that right or it could be with "might"?
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spinymanAnd yet, she could have invited you. I don't understand why she didn't
Correct as shown. In this case I would not substitute might. With might I would add more to show the meaning 'maybe ... would', like this:

She might have invited you if you had been nicer to her.

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oy, I got this. Thank you!
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