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PreciousJones Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Could/can

Hi,

Have a great school year and the gift could be used as textbook money or something.

Have a great school year and the gift can be used as textbook money or something.

What's the difference between can and could that makes this sentence different?
  

Top answer

PreciousJones What's the difference between can and could that makes this sentence different? The most obvious difference for native speakers is that the first one sounds strange, but it's hard to explain why. We would probably say it like this: Have a great school year, and use the money for whatever you want.

— CalifJim

  • PreciousJones What's the difference between can and could that makes this sentence different?
  • The most obvious difference for native speakers is that the first one sounds strange, but it's hard to explain why.
  • We would probably say it like this: Have a great school year, and use the money for whatever you want.
  • ) That aside, The gift can be used ...
  • is a straightforward statement.
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2 Answers
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PreciousJonesWhat's the difference between can and could that makes this sentence different?
The most obvious difference for native speakers is that the first one sounds strange, but it's hard to explain why. We would probably say it like this:

Have a great school year, and use the money for whatever you want. (Parallel structure with
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PreciousJonesHave a great school year, and the gift could be used as textbook money or something.

Have a great school year, and the gift can be used as textbook money or something.

What's the difference between can and could that makes this sentence different?

1. The "or something" at the end is meaningless.

2. You could
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