Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
The modal verb 'can'
Hello,
Could you please help me with the following question:
Is it possible to use the modal verb 'can' talking about possibility in the future? For example:
1. Chinese can become the most popular language in the world.
I think may/might/could are more popular in this case..Am I right? Is 'can' possible here, but maybe, less formal?
2. Chinese may/might/could become the most popular language in the world.
What about talking about possibility in the present? For instance:
3. She is not answering. She can/may/might/could be at work.
I think 'can' is ok, but less formal than 'may', 'might' and 'could'...
I would be grateful for your help,
Thank you in advance,
Coincidence
Could you please help me with the following question:
Is it possible to use the modal verb 'can' talking about possibility in the future? For example:
1. Chinese can become the most popular language in the world.
I think may/might/could are more popular in this case..Am I right? Is 'can' possible here, but maybe, less formal?
2. Chinese may/might/could become the most popular language in the world.
What about talking about possibility in the present? For instance:
3. She is not answering. She can/may/might/could be at work.
I think 'can' is ok, but less formal than 'may', 'might' and 'could'...
I would be grateful for your help,
Thank you in advance,
Coincidence
Top answer
1. 'Can' is certainly a possible verb, and it expresses more confidence than the others you suggest. 3.
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1. 'Can' is certainly a possible verb, and it expresses more confidence than the others you suggest.
3. No, formality is not involved in your sentences; it is a matter of how confident the speaker is in the truth of the information s/he is giving.
3. No, formality is not involved in your sentences; it is a matter of how confident the speaker is in the truth of the information s/he is giving.
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