It's a strange story, but it may/might/could be true.

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Kjaadere

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When can I use use 'can' for possible actions in the present or future?

I thought that we can use 'could/may/might' but not 'can' for possible actions in the present or future:
- It's a strange story, but it may/might/could be true. (=perhaps it is true or it is possible that the story is true)
- Take an umbrella. It may/might/could rain later. (=perhaps it will rain later or it possible that it will rain later)

But there are also sentences like this one:
- Do you think he can still be alive? [=do you think it is possible that he is still alive?]

From: https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/can (the meaning 3a)
 
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@Kjaadere On this occasion, I have fixed the problem for you. I have improved your thread title by making it one of the sentences you're asking us to look at. I have moved the question to the top of the main body of your post. Please make sure you follow that layout for all threads in future.
 
I would say:

I thought we could use ...
 
Do you think he can still be alive?

This example is not about an action and it's not about the future. It's a kind of present possibilty.

Look at the other examples listed in the Brittanica dictionary and let us know which ones you don't understand.
 
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