could/might

[Igor]

Good morning everybody!
Why is human being doubt about everything?
But we are lucky because grammar gives ability to express our doubts through modules.
But there are a lot of doubts about use of modules.
Here is one of them.
There is a sentence:

Conceivably, any proliferating cell could become the target of the carcinogen.

Is it better to use " might" instead of " could" here?
Thanks.

[Erin]

Conceivably, any proliferating cell could become the target of the carcinogen.

Is it better to use " might" instead of " could" here?

This is essentially a modal question, and isn't really tested on the TOEFL. We really need to understand the difference between might and could to make our best choice.

The classic difference between can and may is that can implies "ability" while may implies permission.

However, in this question, I believe that there is some other difference that we need to pay attention to. In this question, can implies "potential" while may implies "chance." I know this difference is a subtle one, so let me see if I can think of an example...

~thinking~

Okay! Got one. Let's compare the difference between:

I could help you.

and

I might help you.

I could help you. implies that I have the ability to help you.

and

I might help you. implies that there is a 0-100% chance that I will help you.



HTH!!

Erin

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