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 #2 (permalink) Thu Sep 25, 2008 16:06 pm Where do we use "could" |
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Hi Geetha
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Could you please give me a note?
Can you please give me a note? |
In your sentences, using "could" makes the request a little more polite.
Using "can" would basically be a more informal request.
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Yankee
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| #3 (permalink) Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:23 am Where do we use "could" |
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hi,
thanks lot.for a long time i have this doubt.it is cleared now |
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 Geetha
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Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 8
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| #4 (permalink) Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:20 am Where do we use "could" |
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| in the past tense, don't use "can" but use "could" or "was able to". |
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Johnnywill
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| #5 (permalink) Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:01 am Where do we use "could" |
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Another use:
I could not modify the file.
In other words: (In the past) I was unable to modify the file.
Could should be used for : See,understand, smell,hear (senses).
But, some people use could and able interchangebly, i think.
Maybe it is not a mistake in terms of grammer. |
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Sureshvemuri
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| #6 (permalink) Sat Sep 27, 2008 18:21 pm Where do we use "could" |
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| johnnywill wrote: |
| in the past tense, don't use "can" but use "could" or "was able to". |
Yes, that's true, Johnnywill. However, in Geetha's sentence, the word "could" is not used as a past tense. Because Geetha's sentence also contains the word "please", the word "could" is used in order to make a request more polite.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee
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| Difference in meaning between sentences: Injuries due to insanity or self... | Meaning of "Please, be done!" and "Way to go!" |
