Some people are/can be self-conscious about their looks.
a) Some people are self-conscious about their looks.
b) Some people can be self-conscious about their looks.
Q1) What is the difference between (a) and (b)? I mean, in what circumstances do we say sentence (b)? For example, do we say it after we have experienced it ourselves or after we have found others in that state or maybe after we have read or heard about it somewhere?
Q2) Can I say sentence (b) if it seems logical to me that Some people are self-conscious about their looks? I mean, this is what the speaker thinks logical, but they have never come across anyone in that state, nor have they read or heard about it anywhere.
Top answer
No, I see it this way. a) Some people are self-conscious about their looks. You mean they are always self-conscious about their looks.
- No, I see it this way.
- a) Some people are self-conscious about their looks.
- You mean they are always self-conscious about their looks.
- b) Some people can be self-conscious about their looks.
- You mean sometimes they are sometimes they are not.
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No, I see it this way.
a) Some people are self-conscious about their looks. You mean they are always self-conscious about their looks.
b) Some people can be self-conscious about their looks. You mean sometimes they are sometimes they are not.
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