Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on foreve

[B45]

Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on foreve

Difference between saying"

I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on forever about my past.

 

[bhaisahab]

Re: Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on fo

There is no difference in meaning.

 

[The Maltese Falcon]

Re: Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on fo

There is not much difference between these two words when used in this context. Both are correct and get the same point across, however:

You might say 'I can go on forever about my past' if you are making a definite statement, if you know you have the ability to 'go on forever about my past.'
'I could go on forever about my past' on the other hand might suggest that you were once able to go on about your past, but are not able to anymore (as 'could' is the past tense of 'can'). 'Could' in this sentence may also suggest that you have the ability to 'go on forever about my past' but do not want to, whereas 'can' suggests that you are offering to 'go on forever about my past.'

Here is a more in depth article on the differences between 'could' and 'can'.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/could-can-and-would

I hope this helps!
TMF

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on fo

I think you have created a distinction without a difference. In this context, the two phrases have the same meaning.

 

[The Maltese Falcon]

Re: Difference between saying" I can go on forever about my past vs I could go on fo

I did inform the asker that both words get the same point across in this context... I just felt that I should explain the difference between the two words and give them examples of how they might be used differently since they were having trouble understanding the correct usage.