🎁 A holiday package to celebrate the season! Click here and shop now!

TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

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 • 1003 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.

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!

×

💝 TextRanch Holidays Offer! 💝️

25% special discount
Stock up on credits for the entire year!

Grab this offer now!