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Reegis Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Who put the notion into his head that he could sing?

Hello,

please have a look at the sentence:

Who put the notion into his head that he could sing? Now we will have to listen to him.

Does it mean that it is just possible for him to sing (like for almost everyone) or that he has some special ability to sing (and for example to start a career as a singer)?
  

Top answer

It implies that he can't sing very well, but for some reason he thinks he can, and this belief in his own singing ability will result in him singing frequently. The speaker thinks this is a bad thing.

— Blue Jay

  • It implies that he can't sing very well, but for some reason he thinks he can, and this belief in his own singing ability will result in him singing frequently.
  • The speaker thinks this is a bad thing.
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8 Answers
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It implies that he can't sing very well, but for some reason he thinks he can, and this belief in his own singing ability will result in him singing frequently. The speaker thinks this is a bad thing.
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It means that he obviously can't sing but for some reason, has been convinced that he can and from now on, will be doing so around the other people in the context, even though they don't want him to.
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Yeah, of course I asked the question from the perspective of a person who convinced him.
So could in the sentence means not only that it is possible for him to sing, but also that he would do this very well?

Of course from the perspective of other people he can't sing very well. I am just asking about could used in this sentence.
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In this case he cannot sing well. He just (mistakenly) believes that he can.
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Well, I am not sure if we are talking about the same:) As I said in my previous post I really understand that this sentence means that he cannot sing. Today while I was studying modals I just found this sentence and I am wondering what is exactly the notion being in his head:
a) only that it is possible for him to sing, or
b) that he can sing really well.
My question purely refers to w
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Yes, he believes that he can sing really well and that others will enjoy listening to him when he sings.
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ReegisI am just asking about could used in this sentence.
In itself "can" or "could" does not include the idea of "well", but with special talents the word "well" often has to be assumed if it is omitted.

Wow! He can (really) sing! (sing well)
Man, she can dance! (dance well)

This usage also pops up when we wish to
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Now it is crystal clear Emotion: smile Thanks Blue Jay and CalifJim.
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