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Mohammad Fadin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
That's the least I can do or I could do?
Hi Everyone,
I noticed that every time I need to say/write this sentence with those 2 verbs I freeze for like 2-4mins thinking which one of those "I can do " or "I could do" is correct.
I'm sure there is a rule to use one of them and I hope someone guide me to it with an some examples.
Thanks EF in advance
I noticed that every time I need to say/write this sentence with those 2 verbs I freeze for like 2-4mins thinking which one of those "I can do " or "I could do" is correct.
I'm sure there is a rule to use one of them and I hope someone guide me to it with an some examples.
Thanks EF in advance
Top answer
Hi, This approach may not work for everyone, but you could try it to see how it works for you. Scenario: If you boss asks you : Can you finish the project before the board meeting tomorrow? Note that I used "can" because, he, as a boss asking his subordinates a question, should have the assertiveness in his voice to inflect the tone of authority.
- Hi, This approach may not work for everyone, but you could try it to see how it works for you.
- Scenario: If you boss asks you : Can you finish the project before the board meeting tomorrow?
- Note that I used "can" because, he, as a boss asking his subordinates a question, should have the assertiveness in his voice to inflect the tone of authority.
- Can - expresses a quality of firmness, being sure, highly possible, and unhesitant.
- If your answer contains anything less than a " yes I can ", but " yes I could ", you are in essence implying, I am not sure.
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3 Answers
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Hi,
This approach may not work for everyone, but you could try it to see how it works for you.
Scenario:
If you boss asks you: Can you finish the project before the board meeting tomorrow? Note that I used "can" because, he, as a boss asking his subordinates a question, should have the assertiveness in his voice to inflect the tone of authorit
This approach may not work for everyone, but you could try it to see how it works for you.
Scenario:
If you boss asks you: Can you finish the project before the board meeting tomorrow? Note that I used "can" because, he, as a boss asking his subordinates a question, should have the assertiveness in his voice to inflect the tone of authorit
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Not quite! If you feel sure, and positive about something, you can say " I can..." If you don't feel all sure, or not really willing, then you may say " I could", which is a lower level word than "can". In a nutshell, that was what my last post was about.
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