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Rizan Malik Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Could or might

Is the difference between could and might in a) much more significant than in b)?


a) You need to discuss with them how they could vs might help you.

b) You could vs might try calling the help desk.


Can we put might=would perhaps in a)?

  

Top answer

Rizan Malik Is the difference between could and might in a) much more significant than in b)? I wouldn't put it quite like that. There isn't a really clear-cut difference in meaning in either case.

— GPY

  • Rizan Malik Is the difference between could and might in a) much more significant than in b)?
  • I wouldn't put it quite like that.
  • There isn't a really clear-cut difference in meaning in either case.
  • In (a), "could" may give a stronger impression that they will be able to help, but people's perceptions of this may vary.
  • In (b), "might" seems a slightly higher-register choice to me, that's all.
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2 Answers
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Rizan MalikIs the difference between could and might in a) much more significant than in b)?

I wouldn't put it quite like that. There isn't a really clear-cut difference in meaning in either case. In (a), "could" may give a stronger impression that they will be able to help, but people's perceptions of this may vary. In (b), "might" seems a slightly higher-

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Rizan MalikIs the difference between could and might in a) much more significant than in b)?

Yes, I'd say so.

In a) 'might' suggests 'might be able to', a combination of 'maybe' and 'can'. On the other hand, 'could' suggests 'would be able to', a tentative (cautious, hesitant) version of 'will be able to', which is much stronger (confident).

You

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