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Grammar
Q & A Newsgroup
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Member Posts: 24
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Posted
Which one of the following questions sounds more native to you?
1. How should I get the wine stain out of my tablecloth? 2. How can I get the wine stain out of my tablecloth? 3. How could I get the wine stain out of my tablecloth? 4. How do I get the wine stain out of my tablecloth? |
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Member Posts: 15140
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Posted
Sentences 2) and 4) seem native to me. I think these are sentences I myself have used many times.
The questions are looking for direct answers. The speaker is asking how to proceed. There is nothing possible or indefinite about the procedure, as might be indicated with 'should' or 'could.' If you want to ask politely, you might say, 'Could / Would you please tell me how I get .....' But the instructions themselves would not require the softening such modals would give them. |
