He could be a thief. vs He can be a thief.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'He could be a thief' implies a possibility or likelihood based on a condition or situation, while 'He can be a thief' suggests a general ability or capability. The choice between 'could' and 'can' depends on whether you are talking about a potential action based on circumstances or a general trait or capability.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 977 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or likelihood based on a condition or situation.

"He could be a thief."

This phrase is used to suggest a potential action or behavior based on certain circumstances. It implies a likelihood or possibility.

Examples:

If he lost his job, he could be a thief.
With his background, he could be a thief.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 19, 2014 ... "But my son is my son, he could be a thief or whatever and I am never going to abandon him. I'll never turn my back on him." On Wednesday ...
Feb 14, 2015 ... We don't have to be on the hunt to kill him, he could be a thief or something, like he stole the Koh-i-Noor or something, and we go on a mission ...
Nov 25, 2012 ... The man I met on the beach yesterday seemed friendly, but he could be a thief, for all I know. For all I know, the girl was buried alive in the ...
“We said there is no way he could be a thief,” one neighbor recalled. “He's just like the rest of us.” A few months ago, while the 33-year-old Becker was still out on ...

Alternatives:

he might be a thief.
he may be a thief.
he is likely a thief.
he is possibly a thief.
he is probably a thief.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to suggest a general ability or capability.

"He can be a thief."

This phrase is used to indicate a general trait or capability of someone. It suggests that the person has the ability to act as a thief.

Examples:

He can be a thief if he wants to.
In certain situations, he can be a thief.

Show examples from the web [+]

Yes, you can indeed use a character that ordinarily we wouldn't like much. He can be a thief. She can be a hooker. The kid can be a racist. And by the end of the ...
When his patience wears out, however, he can be a thief, stealing household item such as towels or tools, and stashing them away. As some PON owners say, ...
Aug 11, 2014 ... He can be a thief but his message resonates with the people's expectations. of responsible and servitude leadership. What's wrong with a ...
He can be a thief because there are honest people. Because there are honest people and there are those who exploit these honest people, he can steal (from ...

Alternatives:

he is able to be a thief.
he has the capacity to be a thief.
he possesses the ability to be a thief.
he is capable of being a thief.
he has the potential to be a thief.

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

He could be a thief. vs He can be a thief.