Could vs might

Question

A. We’ve got two weeks off in July. What do you want to do?
B. We could go to Maine or Vermont.
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
B. I might go to Maine or Vermont.
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
B. I could go to Maine or Vermont.
Clearly, "might" and "could" do not mean the same thing. If we use "could" it mostly acknowledges or suggests the possibility of something. If we use "might" it is more likely to suggest the possiblility of something that is a weaker possibility. However, by using “might” in example number two, the speaker is most likely considering his or her actual intentions

I am very confused about the underlined parts. Does it mean Could imply stronger possibility than might?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

sun 94A. We’ve got two weeks off in July. What do you want to do?
B. We could go to Maine or Vermont.
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
B. I might go to Maine or Vermont.
A. What do you think you'll do with those two weeks you have off in July?
B. I could go to Maine or Vermont.
Clearly, "might" and "could" do not mean the same thing. If we use "could" it mostly acknowledges or suggests the possibility of something. If we use "might" it is more likely to suggest the possiblility of something that is a weaker possibility. However, by using “might” in example number two, the speaker is most likely considering his or her actual intentions

I am very confused about the underlined parts. Does it mean Could imply stronger possibility than might?

Frankly, I too am confused about the underlined parts. Insofar as I understand them at all, I'm not even sure I believe them, especially any claims of what is "weaker" or "stronger".

Example 1 uses "could" to enumerate "theoretical" choices; they are "suggested" choices because they are used in the context of doing something together with someone else.

Example 2 uses "might" to enumerate "considered" choices; they are equivalent to "Maybe I will".

Example 3 uses "could" to enumerate "theoretical" choices; they are not "suggested" choices because they involve only the speaker. (This example strikes me as less idiomatic than the first two.)

By "enumerate 'theoretical' choices" I mean something like "list what is available to do, whether anyone wants to do them or is going to do them or not". In Example 1, what is available is available to both the speaker and the listener. In Example 3, what is available is available only to the speaker.

CJ

Could vs might

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