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Nsfs2 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Hope +can

Hi,

1# I hope you (can, could) find new friends.

Can both of the choices be used? Do 'can, could' here express 'ability or possibility'?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

nsfs2 Can both of the choices be used? Yes. 'Could' is past, 'can' is present and future.

— Mister Micawber

  • nsfs2 Can both of the choices be used?
  • Yes.
  • 'Could' is past, 'can' is present and future.
  • nsfs2 Do 'can, could' here express 'ability or possibility'?
  • Ability, I would say, though they overlap.
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7 Answers
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nsfs2Can both of the choices be used?
Yes. 'Could' is past, 'can' is present and future.
nsfs2Do 'can, could' here express 'ability or possibility'?
Ability, I would say, though they overlap.
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Mister Micawber nsfs2Can both of the choices be used?Yes. 'Could' is past, 'can' is present and future.nsfs2Do 'can, could' here express 'ability or possibility'?Ability, I would say, though they overlap.
Sorry I wasn't more specific. I meant using 'can, could' in this specific sentence to express future hopes.
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nsfs2. I meant using 'can, could' in this specific sentence to express future hopes.
Only 'can' is possible for that purpose. 'Could' with present or future 'hope' only expresses past.
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Mister Micawber nsfs2. I meant using 'can, could' in this specific sentence to express future hopes.Only 'can' is possible for that purpose. 'Could' with present or future 'hope' only expresses past.
So it will be:1# I hope you can find find new friends.

One or two sites about 'can' in addition to Practical English Grammar explain that 'can' can't be
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nsfs2One or two sites about 'can' in addition to Practical English Grammar explain that 'can' can't be used to express future ability and has to be substituted by 'able to', and 'can' can't be used to express future possibility.
That's not true (I can see the doctor tomorrow); what is true is that 'will be able to' is clearer and more common.
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Mister MicawberThat's not true (I can see the doctor tomorrow); what is true is that 'will be able to' is clearer and more common.
We can't use 'can' if the ability is future,

By the end of this course you can will be able to speak English like a native.
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fivejedjon Mister MicawberThat's not true (I can see the doctor tomorrow); what is true is that 'will be able to' is clearer and more common.We can't use 'can' if the ability is future,By the end of this course you can will be able to speak English like a native.
In my original sentence, is the ability present or future?
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