Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
can and could
Hi,
I am going to write what I think is a typical sentence that denotes ability for the modal "can".
I can lift this chair.
If I change that into a question, did I keep the ability part intact? Or is that a request? Or could it be a request with ability in part?
Can you lift this chair (for me)?
If I changed 'can' into the modal verb 'could', Would I still have the ability part there functioning as it should but more polite?
Could you lift this chair?
I am going to write what I think is a typical sentence that denotes ability for the modal "can".
I can lift this chair.
If I change that into a question, did I keep the ability part intact? Or is that a request? Or could it be a request with ability in part?
Can you lift this chair (for me)?
If I changed 'can' into the modal verb 'could', Would I still have the ability part there functioning as it should but more polite?
Could you lift this chair?
Top answer
"Can" is a request, but it could also be a question of ability. "Could" is a polite request = would you be so kind as to....
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"Can" is a request, but it could also be a question of ability.
"Could" is a polite request = would you be so kind as to....
"Could" is a polite request = would you be so kind as to....
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