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1.3. The possibility ( objectiveness - subjective meaning) The possibility of "can" is not usually used in the affirmative sentence, because "may" is used in it instead. Therefore, this meaning of "can" is usually used in the negative and interrogative sentence. This has the subjective meaning but when it makes a comparison between "can" and "may", it implicates objective. See the following examples. (13) a. What can it be? b. Can he still be in the office? c. It can't be true. Since this has the objectiveness, the above is occurred from exterior factors. For example, the speaker of (13a) uttered it after the noise in the view of the objectiveness. Moreover, the past tense "could" can express the permission and the ability, but these are the habitualness or used in the negative sentence. See the following examples. (14) a. When she was young, she could stay out until ten o'clock. (permission) b. She could be gloomy about the future at times. (possibility) c. I ran fast, but couldn't catch the bus. (possibility) (14b) means she would sometimes be gloomy. (14c) is not used in the affirmative sentence like the next (15a). (15) a.*I ran fast, and could catch the bus. b. I ran fast, and able to catch the bus. "Could" is not used for the actual act, therefore, "was able to" etc. are used instead. (Cf. 2.3.2 of The sense of time in English 2 Moreover, (14a) can be compared as follows. (16) a. *She could stay out until ten o'clock yesterday. b. She was allowed to stay out until ten o'clock yesterday. (16a) is unacceptable, since "yesterday" means the definite time and this is not parallel to the habitual meaning. Therefore, "was allowed to" etc. are used instead like (16b).

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