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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Situations where modal verb "could" is synonymous with "may be able to"

Hi. Please help. I think we can replace the modal verb "could" with the phrase "may be able to" in certain sentential contexts. Given that is true, would you say we could use the modal verb "could" in the first conditional? Thank you in advance.

eg,
I think if you start to study math hard, your grades in class could (may be able to?) show signs of improvement.
  

Top answer

Anonymous I think we can replace the modal verb "could" with the phrase "may be able to" in certain sentential contexts. Right. Anonymous Given that is true, would you say we could use the modal verb "could" in the first conditional?

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous I think we can replace the modal verb "could" with the phrase "may be able to" in certain sentential contexts.
  • Right.
  • Anonymous Given that is true, would you say we could use the modal verb "could" in the first conditional?
  • Yes.
  • Your example is a good illustration of how that works.
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1 Answers
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AnonymousI think we can replace the modal verb "could" with the phrase "may be able to" in certain sentential contexts.
Right.
AnonymousGiven that is true, would you say we could use the modal verb "could" in the first conditional?
Yes. Your example is a good illustration of how that works. You don't even need the paraphra
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