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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

You can, could

I have been told by my teacher that both could and can are correct in this case, but could indicates possibility:

You could go and ask him.
You can go and ask him.

Is there a real difference or not really in this case?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is there a real difference or not really in this case? Yes, while can denotes possibility could here denotes tentativeness. You can go and ask him.

— Vsuresh

  • Anonymous Is there a real difference or not really in this case?
  • Yes, while can denotes possibility could here denotes tentativeness.
  • You can go and ask him.
  • (He knows the facts) You could go and ask him .
  • ( I think he knows the facts; you may give it a try)
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7 Answers
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AnonymousIs there a real difference or not really in this case?
Yes, while can denotes possibility could here denotes tentativeness.

You can go and ask him. (He knows the facts)
You could go and ask him. ( I think he knows the facts; you may give it a try)
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Thanks. So, the same applies to these:
You can try ..
You could try ...
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What about if we were taking and I tell you: can I ask your friend for something; can I also say, could I ask you friend for something. Are both also possible?

Many thanks.
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Basically it is about seeking permission.
Here can and could denote politeness. Could is deemed more polite than can.
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Thank you very much teacher. So basically in all our examples both can and could can be used, but it differs in meaning a little bit, and of course there are other instances where only one or the other is the right choice. Right?

Many thanks again.
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Yes.

There are countless sources to learn more about them.
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