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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
It can rain this afternoon
Hi,
I got the answer to my question posted yesterday on this forum and I'm very grateful for the person who answered it.
However, I still can't figure out when to use can and when not to use can.
Could somebody please explain based on grammar rules why the following sentences should be avoided.
1.
Q: Who stole the money?
A: John can be the one(X)
correct answer: John could/might be the one.
2.
Q: Where is Julia?
A: She can be in the garden(X)
correct answer: She could/might be in the garden.
3. It can rain this afternoon(X)
correct answer: It could/might rain this afternoon.
In my grammar book(Cambridge Grammar of English by Carter/Meaning and the English Verb by Leech), it says 'can' denotes theoretical possibility rather than factual possibility.
So in #1 "John can be the one" sounds odd because the question denotes the actual likelihood whereas the answer expresses only the potential to perform the action? (I hope you know what I mean by this)
I got the answer to my question posted yesterday on this forum and I'm very grateful for the person who answered it.
However, I still can't figure out when to use can and when not to use can.
Could somebody please explain based on grammar rules why the following sentences should be avoided.
1.
Q: Who stole the money?
A: John can be the one(X)
correct answer: John could/might be the one.
2.
Q: Where is Julia?
A: She can be in the garden(X)
correct answer: She could/might be in the garden.
3. It can rain this afternoon(X)
correct answer: It could/might rain this afternoon.
In my grammar book(Cambridge Grammar of English by Carter/Meaning and the English Verb by Leech), it says 'can' denotes theoretical possibility rather than factual possibility.
So in #1 "John can be the one" sounds odd because the question denotes the actual likelihood whereas the answer expresses only the potential to perform the action? (I hope you know what I mean by this)
Top answer
You can't use can to mean maybe - to show that you are not sure. Use only may , might , or could . The intention for all three sentences below is to say "maybe", but that's not the meaning.
- You can't use can to mean maybe - to show that you are not sure.
- Use only may , might , or could .
- The intention for all three sentences below is to say "maybe", but that's not the meaning.
- John can be the one.
- - does not mean "Maybe John is the one".
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2 Answers
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You can't use can to mean maybe - to show that you are not sure.
Use only may, might, or could.
The intention for all three sentences below is to say "maybe", but that's not the meaning.
John can be the one. - does not mean "Maybe John is the one".
She can be in the garden. - does not mean "Maybe she i
Use only may, might, or could.
The intention for all three sentences below is to say "maybe", but that's not the meaning.
John can be the one. - does not mean "Maybe John is the one".
She can be in the garden. - does not mean "Maybe she i
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Thank you CJ. This is one of the uses of 'can' described in my grammar book. Your examples and explanations are much easier to understand. Thanks a million!
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