0
Knightofsports Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

could/can

What's the difference if both are said in the present:

How could/can anyone dislike your performance!? It was fantastic!

Are both ok?

Thanks! Does Could give it an even more unreal feeling?
  

Top answer

By including "It was fantastic" in your example you show that the performance has already taken place. It's in the past. can doesn't work in that situation.

— CalifJim

  • By including "It was fantastic" in your example you show that the performance has already taken place.
  • It's in the past.
  • can doesn't work in that situation.
  • could is acceptable, but the more accurate form is could have .
  • How could anyone have disliked your performance?
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.

3 Answers
0
By including "It was fantastic" in your example you show that the performance has already taken place. It's in the past.

can doesn't work in that situation.

could is acceptable, but the more accurate form is could have.

How could anyone have disliked your performance? It was fantastic!

(How would it have been possible — then,
0
0
CalifJimBy including "It was fantastic" in your example you show that the performance has already taken place. It's in the past.can doesn't work in that situation.could is acceptable, but the more accurate form is could have.How could anyone have disliked your performance? It was fantastic!(How would it have been possible — then, when you performed — that someone disliked
0
0
KnightofsportsSaid by a judge right after the performance. Which one would be better? Can or could?
could.

can sounds just plain wrong to me.
0

Related Questions