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McPherson Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
What is correct?
I need a help - which answers are correct?
1. a) It could have been worse.
b) It might have been worse.
2. a) If he hadn't taken the doctor's advice, he could have died.
b) If he hadn't taken the doctor's advice, he might have died.
3. a) I could have bought that book, If I had remembered.
b) I might have bought that book, If I had remembered.
Any advice about a difference between these two modal verbs! How to be sure which one to use? Many thanks!
1. a) It could have been worse.
b) It might have been worse.
2. a) If he hadn't taken the doctor's advice, he could have died.
b) If he hadn't taken the doctor's advice, he might have died.
3. a) I could have bought that book, If I had remembered.
b) I might have bought that book, If I had remembered.
Any advice about a difference between these two modal verbs! How to be sure which one to use? Many thanks!
Top answer
Welcome to English Forums! I would choose "could" in every case, but I don't sense a very great deal of difference between the two. Typically, "could" focuses more on the ability; "might", more on the possibility.
- Welcome to English Forums!
- I would choose "could" in every case, but I don't sense a very great deal of difference between the two.
- Typically, "could" focuses more on the ability; "might", more on the possibility.
- Nevertheless, in these examples the differences, which can be subtle in any situation, seem almost completely neutralized.
- The only sentence pair where the ability-possibility distinction applies perceptibly, in my opinion, is the last pair.
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2 Answers
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Welcome to English Forums!
I would choose "could" in every case, but I don't sense a very great deal of difference between the two. Typically, "could" focuses more on the ability; "might", more on the possibility. Nevertheless, in these examples the differences, which can be subtle in any situation, seem almost completely neutralized. The only sentence pair where the ability-po
I would choose "could" in every case, but I don't sense a very great deal of difference between the two. Typically, "could" focuses more on the ability; "might", more on the possibility. Nevertheless, in these examples the differences, which can be subtle in any situation, seem almost completely neutralized. The only sentence pair where the ability-po
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Thank you very much, Calif Jim! I choosed "could" in all cases, too, but some friends (and professor of English) told that "might" would be better. That's the reason I've wanted to be sure. Hope I won't bother this community with my future questions
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