Everyday English – may and might IV
COULD sometimes has the same meaning as MAY or MIGHT.
“That COULD be true.” =
“That MAY be true.” =
“That MIGHT be true.”
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| “If the company does well I could get a nice bonus in December!” |
*But COULDN’T is not the same as MAY NOT or MIGHT NOT.
Look at these examples –
“Karen COULDN’T have gone to work today, she is still on vacation in Hawaii.” = It’s not possible that Karen went to work today.
“Karen MAY NOT have gone to work today, she wasn’t feeling well this morning.” = perhaps she went to work, perhaps she didn’t. Both are possible.
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| “Karen was sneezing a lot. She may have a cold.” |