0
Paul Evdokimov Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

'could' in both clauses of 2nd-type conditional

Hi there,

I was wondering whether all four modals in the main clause would be correct options:

'If I could stay later, we could/would be able to/might/may talk for longer.'

Thanks for your comments.
  

Top answer

'May' doesn't work. 'Would be able' works, but it's not a modal.

— Fivejedjon

  • 'May' doesn't work.
  • 'Would be able' works, but it's not a modal.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
'May' doesn't work. 'Would be able' works, but it's not a modal.
0
0
a) What about 'could' and 'might'?

b) Since 'might' is OK in the main clause, what makes 'may' so different? They both are supposed to denote uncertainty/probability with 'may' being more formal. They are interchangable when refer to the possible future or used in the 3rd-type conditionals...
0
0
Paul Evdokimova) What about 'could' and 'might'?
They are fine.
Paul Evdokimovb) Since 'might' is OK in the main clause, what makes 'may' so different? They both are supposed to denote uncertainty/probability with 'may' being more formal.
I don't consider 'may' more formal.
Paul EvdokimovThey are inte
0

Related Questions