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Chris123 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Why use "could" not "can" here?
"There is something comforting about the warm glow shed by advertisements on cold wet winter nights.Few things could be more impressive than the peace that descends on deserted city streets at weekends."
These sentences are taken from an article in which the author satirized those who favor the country life and praised the city life.
My questions:
1.Why use "could" not "can" here? What are the differences?
2.And why not just say "Few things are more..." What are the differences?
These sentences are taken from an article in which the author satirized those who favor the country life and praised the city life.
My questions:
1.Why use "could" not "can" here? What are the differences?
2.And why not just say "Few things are more..." What are the differences?
Top answer
Why use "could" not "can" here? What are the differences? Here, could is tentative,that is, the writer does not want it to sound certain.
- Why use "could" not "can" here?
- What are the differences?
- Here, could is tentative,that is, the writer does not want it to sound certain.
- " What are the differences?
- I think it is for the same reason the writer uses 'could be' and not 'are'
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1 Answers
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chris1231.Why use "could" not "can" here? What are the differences?Here,could is tentative,that is, the writer does not want it to sound certain.
chris1232.And why not just say "Few things are more..." What are the differences?I think it is for the same reason the writer uses 'could be' and not 'are'
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