[Grammar] you might be able to put the ashes...

[NAL123]

Consider this sentence of mine, please:


If you wanted to enhance the soil, you might be able to put the ashes in your garden.


Does the second part of the above sentence suggest that the speaker is doubting "your" ability to put the ashes OR does it suggest that the speaker is not sure about their suggestion that "putting ashes enhances the soil?"

 

[NAL123]

Where did you come across this sentence? Have you any context?

sorry I didn't mention that it was mine. I have just corrected it.

 

[emsr2d2]

Sorry. I didn't mention that it was mine. I have just corrected it.

It doesn't suggest doubting anyone's ability to do anything to me. A simpler way of saying would be "If you want to enrich the soil, you could consider putting the ashes on it".

 

[GoesStation]

And using the definite article means you've mentioned those ashes in a previous sentence.

 

[NAL123]

It doesn't suggest doubting anyone's ability to do anything to me. A simpler way of saying would be "If you want to enrich the soil, you could consider putting the ashes on it".

So can I call the original sentence a mild suggestion, although you could consider(as you said) is more likely there?

 

[Tarheel]

Don't use might be able to. Instead, say:

If you want to enhance the soil you might spread the ashes on the garden.

 

[NAL123]

Don't use might be able to. Instead, say:

If you want to enhance the soil you might spread the ashes on the garden.

Is the above sentence equivalent to:

If you want to enhance the soil, it will be possible for you to spread the ashes on the garden.

 

[Tarheel]

No. I meant to say that "you" (the person I'm talking to) can do that if they want to.

Did you make up that sentence yourself?

 

[NAL123]

No. I meant to say that "you" (the person I'm talking to) can do that if they want to.

Sorry. I didn't get you. Do you mean the following two are not equivalent?

1) If you want to enhance the soil, you might spread the ashes on the garden.
2) If you want to enhance the soil, it will be possible for you to spread the ashes on the garden.

Did you make up that sentence yourself?

Yes, the original sentence is mine.

 

[Tarheel]

Sorry. I didn't get you. Do you mean the following two are not equivalent?

1) If you want to enhance the soil, you might spread the ashes on the garden.
2) If you want to enhance the soil, it will be possible for you to spread the ashes on the garden.

This is one of those cases where might, can, and could are interchangeable.

There is no chance I would ever use the second sentence.

 

[NAL123]

This is one of those cases where might, can, and could are interchangeable.

There is no chance I would ever use the second sentence.

I would never use the second sentence too. But, could the second sentence be a possible interpretation of the first?

 

[Tarheel]

I would never use the second sentence either. But, could the second sentence be a possible interpretation of the first?

There's a 0.001% chance of that being the case.

 

[NAL123]

There's a 0.001% chance of that being the case.

Good use of probability.:lol: