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Zuotengdazuo Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Would/can become?


The closer I climbed to top of the mountain, the more my breathing became labored. While I was climbing on a tough and narrow way, I could not think about anything except my goal ---- that I ____ become a better climber than my father.
The key is "would". But I can't figure out why "can" doesn't fit in the context.
Would you shed light on it? The difference between "would" and "can" in this context?
Thank you.
  

Top answer

I could not think about anything except my goal ---- that I will / would become a better climber than my father. Would (and will) is a statement of the future state. That's what a goal is.

— AlpheccaStars

  • I could not think about anything except my goal ---- that I will / would become a better climber than my father.
  • Would (and will) is a statement of the future state.
  • That's what a goal is.
  • I can (and could) become a better climber than my father.
  • This is just a statement of possibility.
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2 Answers
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I could not think about anything except my goal ---- that I will / would become a better climber than my father.

Would (and will) is a statement of the future state. That's what a goal is.

I can (and could) become a better climber than my father.
This is just a statement of possibility. It is not really a goal.
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AlpheccaStarsI could not think about anything except my goal ---- that I will / would become a better climber than my father.Would (and will) is a statement of the future state. That's what a goal is.I can (and could) become a better climber than my father. This is just a statement of possibility. It is not really a goal.
Thank you very much. I see.
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