could versus might

English translation: could versus might

02:51 Mar 30, 2004

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Social Sciences - Linguistics / usage

English term or phrase: could versus might

Sometimes, could and might are used to indicate possibility. I want to know whether these are interchangeable or is there any subtle difference in their usage in this context. For example:

Be careful, it could harm you.

Be careful, it might harm you.

Whether we can use any of these in the above context? Thanks a lot in advance.

Geeta

Selected answer:could versus might

Explanation:
Could implies a slightly higher degree of likeliness than might, but the two are virtually interchangeable. Both sentences you mentioned are correct.

Selected response from:

NGK
United States
Local time: 20:50

Grading comment

Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +8

could versus might

NGK

4 +8

see comment

Hacene

5 +3

No difference in meaning in these examples

Kim Metzger

4 +3

more examples

RHELLER

Answers

5 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +8

could versus might

Explanation:
Could implies a slightly higher degree of likeliness than might, but the two are virtually interchangeable. Both sentences you mentioned are correct.

NGK
United States
Local time: 20:50
Native speaker of:

English,

German
PRO pts in category: 20

Grading comment

Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

No difference in meaning in these examples

Explanation:
May, might and could
'Could is often used in similar ways to 'may' and 'might', to talk about the chance of something happening or being true.
War could break out any day. (or War might ...)

"We use may or might to say that something is a possibility. Usually you can use may or might, so you can say:
It may be true. It might be true.
Sometimes 'could' has a similar meaning to 'may' or 'might.'
The phone's ringing. It could be Tim. (= it may/might be Tim)

Be careful, it could harm you.
Be careful, it might harm you. No difference in meaning.

Michael Swan, Practical English Usage

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 19:50
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 187

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

more examples

Explanation:
examples where they are not interchangeable:

I could see her petticoat as she swirled around. (past tense)
I might not be here when you return.

Could that be his secret?
Could you please mail this letter for me?

We couldn't do such a thing.

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 19:50
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 59

3 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +8

see comment

Explanation:
Could and can derive from a word meaning to be able to, relating to inner ability. it could harm you means that it (whatever it refers to) has the innate possibility to be harmful

Might derives from a word which means power given from outside (divine). It might harm you means that it has been given this potential to harm you.

In so far as inanimate objects are concerned, the two uses are equivalent. When using might and could for animates, there is a clear cut distinction between potential (might = if god permits) and abilities (could= it was in my power)

Hacene
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:50
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 16

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