ostap77
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This issue has been discussed a lot on this forum. Different text books seem to disagree on the level of certainty may,might and could convey. Here's what I've read in Andrea DeCapua " Grammar for Teachers. A Guide to American English for Native and Non-Native Speakers" Andrea DeCapua, Ed.D.
College of New Rochelle New Rochelle, NY 10805 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
P.217
SPEAKER A
"Past situation----Brian is always in class. But he didn't come yesterday."
SPEAKER B
Low certainty-----He may have been sick. OR
He might have been sick. OR
He could have been sick.
High certainty---- He must have been sick.
1)So according to Ms Andrea "could have been" conveys more certainty than "might have been" and "may have been". What would be your opinion?
2) Regarding "could have...".
"*The context will usually indicate whether the speaker means possibility
or ability; however, the distinction between the two meanings is not
always clear-cut." Would you agree?
College of New Rochelle New Rochelle, NY 10805 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
P.217
SPEAKER A
"Past situation----Brian is always in class. But he didn't come yesterday."
SPEAKER B
Low certainty-----He may have been sick. OR
He might have been sick. OR
He could have been sick.
High certainty---- He must have been sick.
1)So according to Ms Andrea "could have been" conveys more certainty than "might have been" and "may have been". What would be your opinion?
2) Regarding "could have...".
"*The context will usually indicate whether the speaker means possibility
or ability; however, the distinction between the two meanings is not
always clear-cut." Would you agree?
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