In this blog post, you’ll learn the usage of the modal verbs can and could and understand the difference between them. These auxiliary verbs are essential for expressing ability, possibility, or permission in English. By mastering these terms, you’ll enhance your everyday communication and improve your grammar skills.
Use of Can or Could
In this section, you will learn the usage of can and could along with their examples in English:
Can or Could for Ability
1. Can is used to talk about the ability to do something at a given time in the present or future:
Example:
- He can speak English fluently.
- I can repair this radio.
- He can’t write with his left hand.
2. Could is used to talk about past time:
Example:
- I could run 10 miles when I was young.
- I could swim for three hours at a stretch.
Can or Could for Request
1. Could is used as a polite way of telling or asking someone to do something:
Example:
- Could you lock the door when you leave?
- Could you open the window, please?
2. Can is more informal:
Example:
- Can you take me to the Victoria station?
- Can you give me your pen?
- Can you help me to reach there?
Can or Could for Possibility
1. Can is used to make general statements about what is possible:
Example:
- In Norway, temperatures can be low as -50°C in winter.
2. Could is used to show that something is/was possible now or at a specific event in the past:
Example:
- The weather station said temperatures could be as low as -10°C tonight.
Can or Could for Asking Permission
1. Can is used to ask for permission to do something in an informal way:
Example:
- Can I borrow your car tomorrow?
- Can I sit here?
- Can I read this book?
2. Could is more formal and polite than can:
Example:
- Could I choose my own doctor?
- Could I use your bicycle, please?
Can or Could for Talking about Things which Are Allowed
1. We use can to talk about things that are allowed in the present or future:
Example:
- You can take a holiday tomorrow if you want.
2. We use could to talk about things that were allowed in the past:
Example:
- When I first started this job we could take holiday when we wanted.
Difference Between Can or Could
Difference between Can or Could
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