This word can/could mean two things/it can/could mean...

[Kontol]

I'm a bit confused about what the difference between can and could in these sentences is? For example:

This word can mean two things/it can mean...
This word could mean two things/it could mean...

 

[tedmc]

The first is possible while the second is probable.

 

[Kontol]

What do you mean by "possible or probable?"

 

[tedmc]

I'm a bit confused about what the difference between can and could in these sentences is? For example:

This word can mean two things/it can mean... It is possible that the word means two things.
This word could mean two things/it could mean... It is probable that the word means two things.

 

[Kontol]

Can means possible, whereas could means probable. Is that right?

 

[tedmc]

Can means possible, whereas could means probable. Is that right?

In general, yes, but it depends on context as there are other meanings to the words.

 

[tedmc]

Can means possible, whereas could means probable. Is that right?

Put quoted words in inverted commas ("can") or italicise them.

 

[Tarheel]

@Kontol If something could happen that means it's a possibility, not necessarily a likelihood. For example, I might say it could rain tomorrow. That's not a prediction. I just think it might happen.

 

[Kontol]

If something could happen that means it's a possibility, not necessarily a likelihood. For example, I might say it could rain tomorrow. That's not a prediction. I just think it might happen.

How about "it could mean? Does it mean "it might mean?"How about "it could mean? Does it mean "it might mean?"

 

[5jj]

The first is possible while the second is probable.

I don't agree,

Can expresses a stronger possibility than could,

 

[Tarheel]

How about "it could mean? Does it mean "it might mean?"How about "it could mean? Does it mean "it might mean?"

"It could mean that" means it's a possibility. So, yes, "might" might work as well.

 

[jutfrank]

Can expresses a stronger possibility than could,

I'd resolutely disagree with this. The difference is of type, not strength, of possibility.

The first is possible while the second is probable.

That's not right.

The difference is about whether you mean to talk of a general or specific kind of possibility.

The word 'sanction' can be a verb or a noun. [This is a statement about the general meaning of the word 'sanction', and the different general ways it is possible to use the word.]

The word 'sanction' in this sentence could be a verb or a noun—we need more context to tell. [This is a statement about one specific use of the word in a particular context.]

 

[5jj]

Can expresses a stronger possibility than could,

I'd resolutely disagree with this. The difference is of type, not strength, of possibility.

The original sentences:

This word can mean two things/it can mean...
This word could mean two things/it could mean...

The distanced form could suggests a more remote possibility than the undistanced can.

 

[jutfrank]

The distanced form could suggests a more remote possibility than the undistanced can.

This is one of those rare cases where we disagree on the nature of the distancing.