"Could" and "might" to talk about past possibilities
339.10 another use of may/might: typical occurrences (PEU = Michael Swan's, Practical English Usage. )
In scientific and academic language, "may" is often used to talk about typical occurrences - things that can happen in certain situations.
With this meaning, "might" can be used to talk about the past.
1) In those days, a man might be hanged for stealing a sheep.
This site says: https://www.perfect-english-grammar....obability.html
We can use could + infinitive to talk about a general possibility in the past (compare with the use of 'can' above):
2) Prices could be high in the sixteenth century.
Q1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)?
Q2) If any difference exists between "might" and "could" above, does the same exist between the following?
3) These days, a man may be hanged for stealing a sheep.
4) Prices can be high these days
Top answer
Rizan Malik Q1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)? Well, yes. You have laid the difference out better than I could have, but I will tell you what I think about it in case it helps.
- Rizan Malik Q1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)?
- Well, yes.
- You have laid the difference out better than I could have, but I will tell you what I think about it in case it helps.
- " This "might" has some of the force of "was allowed to".
- " This "could" has some of the force of "not seldom did".
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Rizan MalikQ1) Is there any difference between the meanings of "might" in (1) and "could" in (2)?
Well, yes. You have laid the difference out better than I could have, but I will tell you what I think about it in case it helps.
That "might" is like the one in "In those days, a man might wear a codpiece in public." This "might" has some of the force of
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