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I thought he could come. vs I thought he might come.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different levels of certainty. 'I thought he could come' implies a higher degree of possibility compared to 'I thought he might come.' The choice between the two depends on the speaker's intended level of certainty.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 983 views

I thought he could come.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies a higher degree of possibility.

This phrase is used when the speaker believed there was a good chance or possibility that he would come.

Examples:

  • I thought he could come to the party, but he had other plans.
  • She thought he could come to the meeting, but he was stuck in traffic.
  • They thought he could come to the concert, but he fell ill.
  • We thought he could come to the event, but he had a family emergency.
  • He thought he could come to the game, but he had to work.
  • I would plan my family meals around when I thought he could come over.. and would be disappointed when he couldn't. How stupid- he never even knew I was  ...
  • Jan 13, 2015 ... "At first I thought he could come talk to me all he wanted, but we would move forward and present it to a grand jury, but after talking to him I do ...
  • Feb 26, 2015 ... http://www.twinpossible.com. Our most beloved Memphis adores the snow just like any other Husky, but I thought he could come down to the ...
  • Jan 29, 2015 ...I thought he could come in an help us there, but if you told me he would be leading the league in scoring right now, I don't know.” In 2010, four ...

Alternatives:

  • I thought he might come.
  • I thought he would come.
  • I thought he might show up.
  • I thought he might attend.
  • I thought he might make it.

I thought he might come.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies a lower degree of possibility compared to 'I thought he could come.'

This phrase is used when the speaker believed there was a possibility, but not as strong as 'could.'

Examples:

  • I thought he might come to the party, but he seemed busy.
  • She thought he might come to the meeting, but he didn't confirm.
  • They thought he might come to the concert, but the weather was bad.
  • We thought he might come to the event, but he had a prior commitment.
  • He thought he might come to the game, but he wasn't feeling well.
  • Oct 7, 2014 ... 'Robbie's legs were going a bit but I thought he might come up to us [at Sunderland] with his long hair, and give us a lift – the way Yorkie ...
  • I wanted to write "Cheeseburger In Paradise," but Jimmy Buffett had already done it. So I wrote what I thought he might come up with, were he inclined to write ...
  • Oct 7, 2014 ... Robbie's legs were going a bit but I thought he might come up to us [at Sunderland], with his long hair, and give us a lift – the way Yorkie ...
  • Oct 8, 2014 ... Robbie's legs were going a bit but I thought he might come up to us [at Sunderland], with his long hair, and give us a lift – the way Yorkie ...

Alternatives:

  • I thought he could come.
  • I thought he would come.
  • I thought he might show up.
  • I thought he might attend.
  • I thought he might make it.

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