the children could sit in their seats vs the children must sit in their seats

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "The children could sit in their seats" implies that the children have the ability or permission to sit in their seats, while "the children must sit in their seats" indicates a requirement or obligation for the children to sit in their seats.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 725 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the ability or permission for the children to sit in their seats.

"the children could sit in their seats "

This phrase is used to express that the children have the option or ability to sit in their seats, but it is not mandatory.

Examples:

The children could sit in their seats if they wanted to.
The children could sit in their seats during the performance.

Show examples from the web [+]

She could sit in and participate in some other way.
The time is past when researchers could sit in their ivory towers.
I could sit in a leather armchair and read my book to people.
We could sit in a circle on the floor and tell each other about our core wounds.
That way you could sit in Henrik's chair and smoke a cigar.
I was passing by, had my guitar, thought maybe I could sit in.
Baby and me could sit in the chair.
I wish I could sit in the back of the class again.
He asked paula if he could sit In an open seat next to sven regal.
J.'s good side and convinced the attorney general he could sit in on some exercises and see how I work.
- She could sit in the sun all day.
- Diana asked if she could sit in on this.
I mean, even in Auschwitz the children could have toys.
Perhaps you and the children could return with us.
The children couldn't hear their teachers.
I could sit in the Café de Flore all day, with no schedules, no meetings and prepared remarks, drinking excellent hot chocolate with cream.
Right in the center of that tree there was this big branch that grew straight up to the sky With a crown at the top of it you could sit in.
So you could sit in a bureau in Jerusalem and file stories from there all the time without having to have much imagination or have much energy or have much drive.
Do you think you could sit in on my interviews?
And Hitchcock could sit in his chair and let the crew do the film because they knew exactly how he would want to do it.

Alternatives:

the children are able to sit in their seats
the children have the option to sit in their seats
the children are allowed to sit in their seats
the children may sit in their seats
the children might sit in their seats

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the requirement or obligation for the children to sit in their seats.

"the children must sit in their seats"

This phrase is used to express that it is necessary or mandatory for the children to sit in their seats.

Examples:

The children must sit in their seats during the test.
The children must sit in their seats until the bus stops.

Show examples from the web [+]

You must sit in judgment on the woman you've been harbouring.
I can drive up to Khabarovsk, but you must sit in the back.
But the children must be saved.
The children must come to school.
The children must be returned to their home within 12 hours.
The children must have a place to play.
In society the children must maintain the sense of discipline
He's saying... only the children must go.
Tell him all the children must go to school.
The children must be very proud?
Not Juuso. All of the children must be together, otherwise this won't work.
Firstly, when conflicts occur, the welfare of the children must be paramount and all other interests must take second place.
The basic interests of the children must come before everything else.
I can't live if I must sit in the closet.
Mother, Uncle Charlie can sit in back with Dad, and the children can fit in perfectly well beside them.
The children must be woken at 7 and fed at 7:30.
Children must not be separated from their mothers soon after birth by sending the mother off to work and the children to a childcare centre.
Victim protection for these children must also be safeguarded, not only for the children but also for the families and the witnesses.
The fundamental interests of the children must therefore be protected, in accordance with, in particular, the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of the International Abduction of Children.
All children must be able to access education, regardless of social background, and we must ensure that this opportunity is also available to the children of asylum seekers, refugees and all those who have permission, even if only temporary, to reside within the Union.

Alternatives:

the children have to sit in their seats
the children are required to sit in their seats
the children should sit in their seats
the children need to sit in their seats
the children are obligated to sit in their seats

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the children could sit in their seats vs the children must sit in their seats