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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Word choice

Are both sentences correct: I think I can solve the problem; I think I could solve the problem.

Does could here mean possibly and can mean certainty?

Thank you
  

Top answer

Anonymous I think I can solve the problem. The problem before us as we speak. The problem that we want to solve now.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous I think I can solve the problem.
  • The problem before us as we speak.
  • The problem that we want to solve now.
  • Anonymous I think I could solve the problem.
  • 1.
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4 Answers
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AnonymousI think I can solve the problem.
The problem before us as we speak. The problem that we want to solve now.
AnonymousI think I could solve the problem.
1. An imaginary problem that may or may not really come up. A problem we are talking about theoretically as if it might come up some day. (I could solve it if it e
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Thank you. What about 'I can solve (instead of could) if you wanted me too. Is that possible or what?
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AnonymousThank you. What about 'I can solve (instead of could) if you wanted me too. Is that possible or what?
No. We need 'could' in that conditional sentence. Omit the 'or what'.
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Great, thank you! You mean I should just say: is that possible (when asking), and without or what?
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