English Language & Usage Asked on March 5, 2021
Consider this sentence, please:
Can I say that sentence 1) has two interpretations depending on the the degree of stress placed on "could"? For example:
a) With unstressed "could":
It means that the authority have the legal right to release him early, so they could do it if they so chose.
b) With stressed "could" (speculation):
It means his release may possibly happen next year, and it is interchangeable with "might":
He was jailed five years ago and might be released next year.
Is this correct?
It means that the prisoner has been sentenced to a period greater than five years but is eligible to be considered for parole after six years.
Exactly what that means in terms of his sentence, the percentage of the term he must serve before being considered for parole, the actions he must avoid taking while incarcerated and the degree of rehabilitation he must demonstrate before being granted parole will all depend on the jurisdiction under which he is being held (and possibly the nature of the crime he has committed).
The reason that his release on parole is uncertain is that his actions while in gaol or his inadequate degree of rehabilitation might persuade the parole board not to grant parole.
No matter what the level of stress on the word 'could' it can be considered as synonymous with 'might' in this case.
Correct answer by BoldBen on March 5, 2021
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