You can/could roast a chicken whole or in pieces, you know

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Newton
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You can/could roast a chicken whole or in pieces, you know

Post by Newton »

Alex: I don't want to give the kids boiled chicken for lunch again, but I have to use up this whole hen and these few legs before they go bad.

(1) Doug: You can/could roast a chicken whole or in pieces, you know. (I think "a chicken" means chicken in general here)

(2) Doug: You can/could roast the chicken whole or in pieces, you know. (Here "the chicken" refers to the chicken Alex is talking about)

Q: Are they both equally correct as suggestions? Or only the second sentence sound like a suggestion?
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Alan
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Re: You can/could roast a chicken whole or in pieces, you know

Post by Alan »

Yes, both possible...
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