Teo  +  482064 Tue, 26 Feb 08 10:55 PM He ___ not be at home tonight. (A) may (B) might (C) could A and B are correct. Is choice C also acceptable? Teo Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004 Taiwan Contributing Member 1,631 Thank you very much for your reply.

	Kooyeen  +  482070 Tue, 26 Feb 08 11:13 PM Hi, yes, but the meaning changes. (a) and (b) can be used in the same situations, but not (c). He might not be at home. Or maybe he is, I don't know. He couldn't be at home. That [is/was/would be] impossible. <-- I can't think of any good examples right now. My imagination is pretty bad tonight. Kooyeen Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005 Italy Senior Member 4,933 Parental Advisory / Explicit Posts

	CalifJim  +  482129 Wed, 27 Feb 08 01:31 AM  It's as Kooyeen says.  could not says impossible that.  The others don't.  All are correct, though. CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Teo  +  482169 Wed, 27 Feb 08 03:05 AM 1. He could not be at home tonight. 2. He cannot be at home tonight. What's the difference in meaning between the above two sentences? Teo

	CalifJim  +  482179 Wed, 27 Feb 08 03:44 AM can and could each have more than one meaning. 1a.  He was not able to be at home tonight.  (He had a previous engagement that prevented it.)  1b. [Less frequent phrasing of 2b.  See 2b, which has the same meaning.] 1c.  He would not be able to be at home tonight.  [A tentative, politer version of 2a as an answer to a request for him to be at home tonight.]  2a. He is not able to be at home tonight.  (He has a previous engagement that will prevent it.)  2b.  The only possible conclusion is that he is not at home tonight.  It must be that he is not at home tonight.  (The house is dark.  No one answers the phone.  Everything points to his absence.) CJ  CalifJim