What's the difference between: I could never turn down an opportunity to travel. VS

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B45

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What's the difference between:

I could never turn down an opportunity to travel.

VS

I can never turn down an opportunity to travel.

Are both the same?
 

Rover_KE

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The first is in the past tense; the second is in the present tense.
 
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B45

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What I mean is, why do some native speakers use in the present tense : I could never turn down an opportunity to travel.

How is it different than saying in the present tense : I can never turn down an opportunity to travel.
 

MikeNewYork

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They have the same meaning.
 

tedmc

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The first is in the past tense; the second is in the present tense.

Apart from the difference of being in the past and present tense, is it true that 'can' is stronger than 'could', indicative a higher possibility than the latter?
 

MikeNewYork

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Not necessarily.
 
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