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Zuotengdazuo Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Might have had?

His opinion of singers was well known; music was a lovely thing for girls, but he could not comprehend why any healthy boy would fill his hand with a harp when he might have had a sword.


Hi, dear teachers. I don't know why "might have pp" is used here? Can I replace it with "could have had"?

Thank you.

  

Top answer

Hi zuotengdazuo In modern English, the difference between 'might' and 'could' can be fairly slight. In your sentence, it's roughly the difference between: - It was possible for the boy to have a sword in his hand [= he might have a sword] - It was within the boy's power and choice to have a sword in his hand [= he could have a sword] Strictly, the second of these is probably better. Maybe the writer thought the difference so small and did not want to echo the word 'could' from earlier in the sentence Dave

— Dave_anon

  • Hi zuotengdazuo In modern English, the difference between 'might' and 'could' can be fairly slight.
  • In your sentence, it's roughly the difference between: - It was possible for the boy to have a sword in his hand [= he might have a sword] - It was within the boy's power and choice to have a sword in his hand [= he could have a sword] Strictly, the second of these is probably better.
  • Maybe the writer thought the difference so small and did not want to echo the word 'could' from earlier in the sentence Dave
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2 Answers
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Hi zuotengdazuo

In modern English, the difference between 'might' and 'could' can be fairly slight. In your sentence, it's roughly the difference between:

- It was possible for the boy to have a sword in his hand

[= he might have a sword]

- It was within the boy's power and choice to have a sword in his hand

[= he could have a sword]

Strictly, the second of

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Hi

I agree. The sword, after all, symbolizes a warlike attitude that continues in time, so either tense is ok. He might have had a sword so, at any time, and perhaps still, he might have a sword

Dave

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