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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Yeah, things could be worse, right?

A: We survived and we still have each other.

B: Yeah, things could be worse, right?

I think that here in the sentence, could be is used for a conditional, not for a current possibility. What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual and have a good day.
  

Top answer

I think it is both. It is a conditional current possibility.

— Mister Micawber

  • I think it is both.
  • It is a conditional current possibility.
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6 Answers
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I think it is both. It is a conditional current possibility.
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Ah, you are right. Thank you, but it is different from 'could be' in this dialogue,

A: Who is at the door?

B: He could be Tom.

In here, it just implies a current possibility, right?
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As far as I know, 'could' cannot function in present or future unless it is conditional in some sense. He could be Tom [if he is not someone else].
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Thank you so much and I am really confused now. Referring to your old thread, there is no omission in the sentence or the meaning of "possibility" and "guess" is different to you?

That would be Tom ( A current guessing, not a conditional)

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Nowhere did I say they were not conditional; that was not the thrust of that discussion.
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Thank you, and I am sorry for bothering you. And I am with you. Thank you and have a good night.
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