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Wed 19 Dec, 2007 11:21 am
I've read that either'is' or 'are' can be used.
I've read that either'is' or 'are' could be used.
I believe both sentences are correct, but I notice that native speakers often use 'could'. Coud someone tell me the reason/ difference, please?
Many thanks.
It simply means that the speaker would rather not be seen to make an absolute statement, and therefore uses the conditional.
Rather than saying: "Yoong, you are making a mistake,"--i might soften the implied criticism by saying: "Yoong, you could be making a mistake."
Therefore, to speak more cautiously, and to sound less censorious in some circumstances, native speakers of English often use could rather than can, would rather than will, and should rather than shall.
Setanta wrote:It simply means that the speaker would rather not be seen to make an absolute statement, and therefore uses the conditional.
Rather than saying: "Yoong, you are making a mistake,"--i might soften the implied criticism by saying: "Yoong, you could be making a mistake."
Therefore, to speak more cautiously, and to sound less censorious in some circumstances, native speakers of English often use could rather than can, would rather than will, and should rather than shall.
Hey, Set, I'll do the drinking here.
gustavratzenhofer wrote:Hey, Set, I'll do the drinking here.
Be my guest, i don't take strong drink.
I have complete and utter faith in your ability to drink for the two of us.
"Speak more cautiously, sound less censorious" would be an excellent sig line for you, Setanta.
You get him, wandel! You go, dog!
wandeljw wrote:"Speak more cautiously, sound less censorious" would be an excellent sig line for you, Setanta.
Don't hold your breath, 'K, Wandel?
Both can and could are conditional. In this case they share the meaning, "It's possible".
1. I've read that either 'is' or 'are' can be used.
I've read that it's possible to use either 'is' or 'are'.
2. I've read that either 'is' or 'are' could be used.
I've read that it's possible to use either 'is' or 'are'.
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