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Vladv Posted 5 years ago
Grammar
Might/ could
The Reset’s first assumption was that the United States and Russia had some common interests, especially regarding our biggest security challenges. We reasoned that Russia might be willing to cooperate to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, that we might be able to harness Russian support for our war effort against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, and that, more generally, the U.S. and Russia could unite over the common goal of combating terrorism worldwide.
As I see it, the three underlined modals denote an assumption (the author was approximately 50 percent sure)? If that is the case, what is the difference between could and two mights here? Does could denote a weaker assumption than might does as some have told me?
Michael McFaul " Cold war, Hot peace"
As I see it, the three underlined modals denote an assumption (the author was approximately 50 percent sure)? If that is the case, what is the difference between could and two mights here? Does could denote a weaker assumption than might does as some have told me?
Michael McFaul " Cold war, Hot peace"
Top answer
Vladv the difference between could and two mights here? Vladv Russia might be willing maybe Russia would be willing Vladv we might be able to harness Russian support maybe we would be able to harness Russian support Vladv could unite would be able to unite Vladv Does could denote a weaker assumption than might I don't think so. For one thing, they are just different, so I don't know if they are even comparable in terms of weak and strong.
- Vladv the difference between could and two mights here?
- Vladv Russia might be willing maybe Russia would be willing Vladv we might be able to harness Russian support maybe we would be able to harness Russian support Vladv could unite would be able to unite Vladv Does could denote a weaker assumption than might I don't think so.
- For one thing, they are just different, so I don't know if they are even comparable in terms of weak and strong.
- Generally, 'might' has to do with logical possibility; 'could' has to do with personal ability.
- In the middle example, the two are combined as 'might be able', which is 'maybe' plus 'could', and 'could' is 'would be able'.
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1 Answers
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Vladvthe difference between could and two mights here?
VladvRussia might be willing
maybe Russia would be willing
Vladvwe might be able to harness Russian support
maybe we would be able to harness Russian support
Vladvcould unite
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