I can/could be late sometimes

[Rachel Adams]

Can I use either "can" or "could" in my sentence and can I use "sometimes" in different positions?

1. "I try not to be late for appointments, but sometimes I can/could be late."
2. "I try not to be late for appointments sometimes, but I can/could be late."
3. "Sometimes I try not be late for appointments, but I can/could be late."
4. "I try not to be late for appointments, but I can/could be late sometimes."

I think sentences 1 and 4 mean the same but sentences 2 and 3 mean the person tries not to be late only sometimes.

 

[emsr2d2]

None are natural with either "can" or "could".

I try not to be late for appointments but sometimes I am.

 

[Rachel Adams]

None are natural with either "can" or "could".

I try not to be late for appointments but sometimes I am.

Why is the comma optional before "but"?

 

[Cunning Fox]

Why is the comma optional before "but"?

Not a teacher nor a native speaker.

Because in English, unlike Russian, the conjunction "but" doesn't trigger a comma per se. We do put a comma before "but" to show a pause, though.

 

[jutfrank]

None are natural with either "can" or "could".

I'm not sure why you say can is not natural. It can be used to talk about tendencies.

1 and 4 are correct with can, but could is wrong.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I'm not sure why you say can is not natural. It can be used to talk about tendencies.

1 and 4 are correct with can, but could is wrong.

I don't think this use was mentioned in the books I usually use. I never heard about it before. Thanks! If I say "She can be rude sometimes" or "The baby can be a little angry if he doesn't get enough sleep", in my sentences "can" expresses a tendency and using "could" is wrong, isn't it?

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

I always try to show up on time, but occasionally I am late.

 

[Tarheel]

Babies get cranky if they haven't had enough sleep.

 

[Tarheel]

Sometimes she is rude.

 

[jutfrank]

If I say "She can be rude sometimes" or "The baby can be a little angry if he doesn't get enough sleep", in my sentences "can" expresses a tendency

Yes. Those are good examples, in fact.

and using "could" is wrong, isn't it?

Yes, it's wrong.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes. Those are good examples, in fact.



Yes, it's wrong.

Do sentences # 2 and #3 also work with "can" and express a tendency, but the meaning of both of them is that the speaker tries not to be late for appointments only sometimes?

2. "I try not to be late for appointments sometimes, but I can be late."
3. "Sometimes I try not be late for appointments, but I can be late."

 

[Cunning Fox]

Not a teacher nor a native speaker.
Generally speaking, it's a very clumsy way of wording the idea. If you're only interested in theoretical English grammar and it doesn't bother your much whether or not the sentences are actually natural, then my answer is, OK, "can" would work. I don't quite see how "could" would make any sense though.

 

[emsr2d2]

Why do you only sometimes try not to be late for appointments? You should always try not to be late. It's fair that sometimes you fail in that attempt and are, unfortunately, late.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Why do you only sometimes try not to be late for appointments? You should always try not to be late. It's fair that sometimes you fail in that attempt and are, unfortunately, late.

I don't try not to be late. I am never late. That sentence isn't about me. But if someone was going to use it, would it make sense and be correct?

 

[Tarheel]

@Rachel Adams
I try to get there on time. I do not try to not be late

 

[Rachel Adams]

@Rachel Adams
I try to get there on time. I do not try to not be late

Do you mean this is wrong
"I don't try not to be late"?

 

[Tarheel]

Do you mean this is wrong
"I don't try not to be late"?

It's very awkward. Why don't you just say what you mean?

 

[Rover_KE]

"I don't try not to be late."

That takes some figuring out.

Usually, two negatives cancel each other out, so that sounds like you mean 'I try to be late'.

We know you don't mean that, so as Tarheel said 'Say what you mean'.

 

[Rachel Adams]

It's very awkward. Why don't you just say what you mean?

I mean I try not to be late.

 

[Rachel Adams]

@Rachel Adams
I try to get there on time. I do not try to not be late

"I do not try to not be late" means "I don't try not to be late". Right? Or in other words it's OK for me to be late.