I often come across the following usage of modal verbs in novels: “But Turing would die before completing and publishing his final musings”. Why not simple past like “But Turing died before completing and publishing his final musings.”? What is the name for this construction? Edit: I realized that I have chosen not the right … Read more
You are feeling ill. I would stay at home if I were you. Can I replace would with should? Like this: You are feeling ill. I should stay at home if I were you. It seems illogical to me; however I am not sure. I couldn’t find an answer that answers my question elsewhere. Answer … Read more
I’m curious about why the English word can cannot be used in future tense (e.g. will can). An example unrelated to English is French term je pourrai, but that’s exactly what I mean. Compare German ich werde können which translates exactly to I will be able, and literally to I will can, given that können … Read more
As the title implies, I am looking for a good, simple, single word antonym of “assume”. Alternatively, if no good antonym exists that satisfies the requirements below, I am also open to suggestions for a synonym of “assume” and its antonym. EDIT: the definition of “assume” here is that of “belief”. The specific context is … Read more
Considering easily as an attitude or manner adverb, which of the following is correct? He could easily have been killed. or He could have been easily killed. Answer According to the Cambridge dictionary, adverbs of manner “usually go in end position. They sometimes go in mid position if the adverb is not the most important … Read more
Not a duplicate! Here are the differences: I already read the other question while researching prior to asking this, and it didn’t answer my question. Come on, you gotta believe me! The other question asks about what the most appropriate word to use in a restaurant setting is. This question asks about what the logically … Read more
I work in one of the industries where there’s a lack of trust across the board. You know the type: Used car salesmen Banks/bankers Estate agents The way I look at it, you can ignore it completely or embrace it. We think we’re different and choose the latter approach. With that in mind, we’re looking … Read more
A while back, while we were getting fast food, my friend commented on my usage of “can” versus “may” when asking to take my order. I said: Can I have a ……. and my friend argued you’re supposed to say May I have a ……. Although I had never thought much about it, and at … Read more
What is the structure of might + verb (in past tense) called? I might said it. (Instead of I might have said it.) I might did it. (Instead of I might have done it.) I might did say it. (Instead of I might have said it., with did as an auxiliary verb.) The verbs said … Read more
I had written “I can’t be available from 9-10.” My friends suggested that I rewrite it as “I can’t be available from 9-10”. Both answers were not satisfying me. I had searched on the internet for correct form sentence. The suggestion is I need to use the verb will rather than can. I can’t be … Read more
