can you imagine vs could you imagine

Both 'can you imagine' and 'could you imagine' are correct and commonly used in English. They are both used to ask someone to consider a hypothetical situation or to express disbelief. The choice between them depends on the level of politeness or formality you want to convey.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 879 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"can you imagine"

This phrase is used to ask someone to consider a hypothetical situation or to express disbelief. It is more direct and less formal than 'could you imagine.'

Examples:

Can you imagine what it would be like to live on Mars?
Can you imagine how much work it will take to finish this project?

Alternatives:

Imagine if
Can you picture
Can you visualize
Can you conceive
Can you think about

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"could you imagine"

This phrase is also used to ask someone to consider a hypothetical situation or to express disbelief. It is more polite and formal than 'can you imagine.'

Examples:

Could you imagine what it would be like to be a bird?
Could you imagine how different the world would be without technology?

Show examples from the web [+]

I mean, could you imagine if Myles and I were together.
I mean, could you imagine what would happen to our property value?
The trauma of that, could you imagine?
Matt, could you imagine how great it would be to have our own place again?
Man could you imagine what it would be like if you were a girl dating another girl?
Could you imagine what would be discovered by just secretly tracking the Mac usage with a spy program?
If a single drop of blood can give you a vision, could you imagine what two liters could do?
Could you imagine if someone on the police force found out...
Could you imagine a relationship more all-consuming?
Could you imagine bouncing a check to Kunta Kinte?
Could you imagine doing this every two years?
Could you imagine stepping off the hamster wheel?
Could you imagine a toddler running around here?
Could you imagine if he was your boyfriend?
Could you imagine holding it for 4 hours?
Could you imagine being a kid and being entertained by this stuff?
Could you imagine what a train wreck that would have been?
Could you imagine the look on Mom's...
Could you imagine not being able to feel things with your fingertips?
Could you imagine the outpouring of love and sympathy when Vince loses both of you?

Alternatives:

Could you picture
Could you visualize
Could you conceive
Could you think about
Can you imagine

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