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Could, not would. Like smoking can kill you, not smoking will kill you. It is a common and fundamental English language pattern, clearly indicating doubt and sh
by stubish 7y ago
Could, not would. Like smoking can kill you, not smoking will kill you. It is a common and fundamental English language pattern, clearly indicating doubt and should never be misinterpreted as certainty.
- WillPostForFood 7y agoFair enough, but could is enough to play on people's fears. Immigrant X could be a terrorist. Food additive Y could cause cancer. You can't then claim you didn't say "would". Note that things like tobacco cancer warnings use use can/could not will/would, and the intent of the message is still clear. "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer And Heart Disease." "WARNING: This product can cause mouth cancer."