[Grammar] You don't know what can/could happen tomorrow

[NAL123]

Consider the following quote, please:

“You don't know what can happen tomorrow. Life is like a novel, isn't it? It's filled with suspense. You never know what's going to happen until you turn the page.” ― Sidney Sheldon (a well-known American writer)

In the bold sentence, can we use could in place of can? For example:

1) You don't know what could happen tomorrow.

Does could in sentence 1) suggest "maybe will"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Please use the Edit Post function to enlarge the font in your entire post.

 

[jutfrank]

In the bold sentence, can we use could in place of can?

You can replace can with could without affecting the interpretation of the sentence, yes.

1) You don't know what could happen tomorrow.

Does could in sentence 1) suggest "maybe will"?

It expresses the idea of one possibility among many.