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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Modal verb "could" or "can"

Hi. Is the use of the modal verb "could" in the following example sentence correct? I think we should use the modal verb "can" instead -- it's just my feeling. Thank you in advance for your help.

I don't want him to be in a situation where he could harm again.
  

Top answer

Could is fine. The more natural version is: I don't want him to be in a situation where he could do harm again.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Could is fine.
  • The more natural version is: I don't want him to be in a situation where he could do harm again.
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2 Answers
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Could is fine. The more natural version is:
I don't want him to be in a situation where he could do harm again.
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AnonymousI don't want him to be in a situation where he ____ do harm again.
The following are all possible there: can, could, will, would, may, might.

CJ
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