0
CopyRight Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Hold, Carry
"The plane can hold 200 passengers."
"The plane holds 200 passengers."
"The plane can carry 200 passengers."
"The plane carries 200 passengers."
How necessary is "can", if the capacity of the plane is being talked about?
"The plane holds 200 passengers."
"The plane can carry 200 passengers."
"The plane carries 200 passengers."
How necessary is "can", if the capacity of the plane is being talked about?
Top answer
It's not necessary at all.
- It's not necessary at all.
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
0
So, "hold" and "carry" mean "has enough room for X number of passengers", besides currently "having X number of passengers". Could there be ambiguities as to which meaning is intended?
00
If you're talking about capacity:
The plane holds 200 passengers.
The plane can hold 200 passengers.
The plane carries 200 passengers.
The plane can carry 200 passengers.
If you're talking about current occupation:
The plane is [currently] holding 47 passengers.
The plane is [currently] carrying 47 passengers. (natural)
The plane currently holds 47 pa
The plane holds 200 passengers.
The plane can hold 200 passengers.
The plane carries 200 passengers.
The plane can carry 200 passengers.
If you're talking about current occupation:
The plane is [currently] holding 47 passengers.
The plane is [currently] carrying 47 passengers. (natural)
The plane currently holds 47 pa
0
Related Questions