Can instead of could have

[teechar]

This thread has gone into its third page, and you haven't even bothered to acknowledge most of our responses. Give me one good reason to continue to help you.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Of course. I always thank teachers when the discussion is over.

 

[teechar]

''If it's raining tomorrow, the sports class can/could take place indoors''.

''The phone is ringing. It can/could be Tom''.

See above. Are you also aware that "could" can sometimes indicate weaker present/future possibility than "can"?

 

[Rachel Adams]

I am. Then why does the texbook say 'could' should be used not 'can' in that sentence?

 

[Rachel Adams]

As in: ''We could go for a walk'' and ''we can go for a walk''. With 'could' being weaker than 'can'?

 

[teechar]

In what sentence? There are so many in this thread.

 

[Rachel Adams]

In this sentence :''The phone is ringing. It could be Tom''. Not ''can be Tom''.

 

[Rover_KE]

Of course. I always thank teachers when the discussion is over.

I suggest you take the opportunity to thank us before that — especially when a thread starts to run and run like this one is doing.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find "The phone is ringing. It can be Tom" very unnatural. I would expect only "It might be ..." or "It could be ..." there.

 

[teechar]

I find "The phone is ringing. It can be Tom" very unnatural.

------------------------------

A: The phone is ringing. Oh no, We're not supposed to be in the office this late.
B: Don't worry. It can't be Tom. He should be fast asleep by now.
A: It can be Tom. He's been trying to catch us out lately.

Context is important.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Thus either can or could can be used in similar examples(it could/can be Tom). If I need to indicate weaker present/future possibility I use 'could' otherwise "can". Right?
I was confused because English Grammar in Use states that in that example (it could/can be Tom) only ''can'' must be used. Which was not quite right.

 

[teechar]

Rachael, context is important. Take a look at the following too:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/can-and-could

 

[jutfrank]

Thus either can or could can be used in similar examples(it could/can be Tom). If I need to indicate weaker present/future possibility I use 'could' otherwise "can". Right?

No.

I was confused because English Grammar in Use states that in that example (it could/can be Tom) only ''can'' must be used.

No, it doesn't.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes, it does. It gives that example and says: ''it could be Tom.'' Not ''can.''

 

[emsr2d2]

I was confused because English Grammar in Use states that in that example (it could/can be Tom) only ''can'' must be used.

Yes, it does. It gives that example and says: ''it could be Tom.'' Not ''can.''

Can you see how your two responses contradict each other?

 

[Rachel Adams]

There is a mistake in the first sentence which I didn't notice. It should be 'could' not 'can' as the book says.