Can be told vs Could be told

Both 'can be told' and 'could be told' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Can be told' is used to express general ability or possibility in the present or future, while 'could be told' is used to express possibility or ability in the past or in a hypothetical situation.

Last updated: March 29, 2024

Can be told

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express general ability or possibility in the present or future.

Use 'can be told' to indicate that something has the ability or possibility to be narrated or communicated in the present or future.

Examples:

The story can be told in many different ways.
The truth can be told without fear of consequences.
The details can be told at a later time.

Alternatives:

may be told
might be told
will be told
is able to be told
is possible to be told

Could be told

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express possibility or ability in the past or in a hypothetical situation.

Use 'could be told' to indicate that something had the possibility or ability to be narrated or communicated in the past or in a hypothetical situation.

Examples:

The story could be told in many different ways.
The truth could be told without fear of consequences.
The details could be told at a later time.

Alternatives:

was able to be told
had the ability to be told
had the possibility of being told
might have been told
was possible to be told

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Can be told vs Could be told

Can be told

Could be told

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