http://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482179Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:28:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:482179CalifJim0http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482179http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-482179.xmlcan 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. 1c. He would not be able 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.) CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482169Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:28:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:482169Teo1http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482169http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-482169.xml1. He could not be at home tonight. 2. He cannot be at home tonight. What&#39;s the difference in meaning between the above two sentences?http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482129Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:28:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:482129CalifJim2http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482129http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-482129.xmlIt&#39;s as Kooyeen says. could not says impossible that . The others don&#39;t. All are correct, though. CJhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482070Tue, 26 May 2009 09:28:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:482070Kooyeen3http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htm#482070http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-482070.xmlHi, 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&#39;t know. He couldn&#39;t be at home. That impossible. &lt;-- I can&#39;t think of any good examples right now. My imagination is pretty bad tonight.http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htmThu, 26 Mar 2009 10:28:52 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:482064Teo4http://www.englishforums.com/English/MayMightCouldNot/zncrm/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-482064.xmlHe ___ not be at home tonight. (A) may (B) might (C) could A and B are correct. Is choice C also acceptable?