There can only be... or there can be only...

[Alexandro]

Hi everyone,

Is there a difference in meaning between the two following sentences? If so, which one is more acceptable in BrE?

- There can be only one rooster in the hen house. (heard it from Jack Nicholson)

or:

- There can only be one rooster in the hen house.

By the way: 'can' is a modal auxilary, what about 'be', can it be used as a modal too?

Thanks
Alexandro.
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'Everyone can mistakes! After all, nobody's perfect.'

[Beeesneees]

No difference in meaning.

I'm sure that you already know that the modal verbs are can, could, may, might, shall, should, will and would.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alexandro]

Yes, I do and again, thank you for your reply. So, I take it 'be' is a copular verb, right?

Alexandro
_________________
'Everyone can mistakes! After all, nobody's perfect.'

[Beeesneees]

Again, I believe you already know that and fail to see why you are asking.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!