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 • 7125 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 [+]
Last updated: November 26, 2024

"I thought you might be late. Didn't expect you to be so punctual," Dursley came to Malfoy's side, offering a rare compliment. "You…" Malfoy looked at ...
Oct 28, 2024 ... "I thought you might be late this time. Report," the Minister commanded, his voice steady but laced with the tension of ongoing warfare ...
Jan 18, 2019 ... “I thought you might be late.” She grinned at him. He chuckled at her teasing and offered her his arm. They talked all through dinner of ...
I thought you might be late or forgot.” Parent: “Why on earth would you think that?” Teen: “Remember that one time…” 5. When our teens mess up or forget ...
Nov 21, 2007 ... 'There are delays on the road from London and I thought you might be late.' We are late, but that's because I got east and west mixed up on ...
I thought you might be late for once," Jill said from behind the counter as Olivia came around and dropped her bag off. "There's always tomorrow," she said ...
Aug 4, 2024 ... We survived all the storms alone. They won't understand me, he threw me through many things. I am old. I thought you might be late. It's enough ...
Jun 15, 2023 ... ... leaning up against his truck "Girl, I'm glad you made it. I knew we had this date. When I saw you in California, I thought you might be late."
... I thought you might be late home; so I ran round to the Quai with it myself. And I asked for twenty pounds, and the man gave it to me." "Why, that's a brave ...

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.