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Hirashin Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

He swims well / He can swim well

Is there a difference in meaning between A and B?
A) He swims well.
B) He can swim well.

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin
  

Top answer

Grammatically, the first says that he actually swims well; the second says that he has the ability to swim well. Semantically, probably no difference. He's a good swimmer.

— Deadrat

  • Grammatically, the first says that he actually swims well; the second says that he has the ability to swim well.
  • Semantically, probably no difference.
  • He's a good swimmer.
  • After all, how can you tell if someone has the ability to swim well if you haven't actually seen him swimming well?
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4 Answers
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Grammatically, the first says that he actually swims well; the second says that he has the ability to swim well. Semantically, probably no difference. He's a good swimmer. After all, how can you tell if someone has the ability to swim well if you haven't actually seen him swimming well?
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Thanks for the help, deadrat.
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hirashinIs there a difference in meaning between A and B?
Not really. I am more likely to say "He swims well" in admiration when I am watching him swim. I am more likely to say "He can swim well" if I am promoting him as an addition to the Olympic swim team in an office setting. Nevertheless, I can switch the two without causing any problems in communicatio
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Thanks for the interesting comment, CJ.
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