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Listenever Posted 10 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation

Why does "can" sometimes sound like "could"?



At 1:52,
Jimmy Kimmel: Do you think that women can do anything men can do?

Boy 1: They're too weak.

Boy 2: Yeah. They don't have those muscles. They're like _______________.

Jimmy Kimmel: So you think men are physically stronger but are women smarter than men?

Question 1: Why does the first "can" sound like "could"? Or is it actually "could"?

Question 2: What did the kid say in the blank?
  

Top answer

listenever Question 1: Why does the first "can" sound like "could"? Or is it actually "could"? I think it's 'can'.

— Mister Micawber

  • listenever Question 1: Why does the first "can" sound like "could"?
  • Or is it actually "could"?
  • I think it's 'can'.
  • Both auxiliaries are extremely reduced in natural conversation, and the /d/ of the following 'do' muddles the sound even more here.
  • listenever Question 2: What did the kid say in the blank?
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2 Answers
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listeneverQuestion 1: Why does the first "can" sound like "could"? Or is it actually "could"?
I think it's 'can'. Both auxiliaries are extremely reduced in natural conversation, and the /d/ of the following 'do' muddles the sound even more here.
listeneverQuestion 2: What did the kid say in the blank?
Maybe 'They're too lit
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listeneverThey're like _____________
I hear They're like, weenie, like berries.
listeneverOr is it actually "could"?
I'm inclined to say it is, but the audio isn't clear enough for me to tell exactly. I agree with Mr. M that the following "d" (in 'do') contributes to the ambiguity. Yet, the "n" in "men ca
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