Tarheel
VIP Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2014
- Member Type
- Interested in Language
- Native Language
- American English
- Home Country
- United States
- Current Location
- United States
I wanted to respond to NAL123's question, but Rover had closed the thread.
I think it can be confusing to ESL learners when an expression is not meant literally. For example, if I say I can imagine doing something that probably means it's a possibility. In other words, under the right circumstances I might do it. If I say I can imagine going to Canada it means it's a possibility. What it definitely does not mean is that I am able to imagine it. This is an instance when, in my opinion, the literal meaning definitely does not apply. (You are always capable of imagining something.)
I think it can be confusing to ESL learners when an expression is not meant literally. For example, if I say I can imagine doing something that probably means it's a possibility. In other words, under the right circumstances I might do it. If I say I can imagine going to Canada it means it's a possibility. What it definitely does not mean is that I am able to imagine it. This is an instance when, in my opinion, the literal meaning definitely does not apply. (You are always capable of imagining something.)