I thought you might be late. vs I thought you could be late.

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'I thought you might be late' implies a higher degree of certainty that the person would be late, while 'I thought you could be late' suggests a possibility or potential for lateness. The choice between 'might' and 'could' depends on the level of certainty or possibility you want to convey.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 7110 views

I thought you might be late.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express a higher degree of certainty that the person would be late.

Examples:

I thought you might be late, so I waited for you.
She thought he might be late, but he arrived on time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Arnie: "I thought you might be late agin." Binny: "I work when I want to." Arnie: "I hate to see ya come in late. Boss git mad at ye ..." Binny: "What's it to you?"
Aug 12, 2012 ... “I thought you might be late, but mother said that you might be too tired to come.” “ I would not miss your name day for anything,” Catelyn told ...
Feb 1, 2015 ... "I thought you might be late, and I'd have to cancel my plans to go dump digging with Gert and Nina." "Got things in motion, have you, Ma?
Oct 3, 2011 ... ... to find Death waiting for him there, saying “When I saw you in Cairo, I thought you might be late for our our date in Samara, but here you are.

Alternatives:

I thought you would be late.
I thought you were going to be late.

I thought you could be late.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to suggest a possibility or potential for lateness.

Examples:

I thought you could be late, so I left a bit later.
She thought he could be late, but he surprised her by arriving early.

Alternatives:

I thought you might be late.
I thought you may be late.

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I thought you might be late. vs I thought you could be late.