Can and Could

Can - Present Ability

General Ability

• I can speak three languages.
• She can play the piano.
• They can swim very well.

Inability

• I can’t drive a car.
• He can’t see without his glasses.
• We can’t understand this.

Can - Permission and Requests

Asking Permission (informal)

• Can I use your phone?
• Can I sit here?
• Can we leave early?

Giving/Refusing Permission

• You can go now.
• You can’t park here.
• You can borrow my book.

Making Requests

• Can you help me?
• Can you close the window?
• Can you repeat that?

Can - Possibility

General Possibility

• It can get very cold in winter.
• Anyone can make mistakes.
• Technology can be frustrating.

Could - Past Ability

General Ability in the Past

• When I was young, I could run very fast.
• She could speak French before she moved abroad.
• They could see the mountains from their house.

Specific Past Action (use “was able to”)

• ✓ I was able to finish the project on time. (specific achievement)
• ✗ I could finish the project on time. (sounds incomplete)

Could - Polite Requests

More polite than “can”:

• Could you help me, please?
• Could I speak to the manager?
• Could you tell me the time?

Could - Present Possibility

Less certain than “can”:

• It could rain later. (it’s possible)
• This could be the answer. (maybe)
• She could be at work. (I’m not sure)

Can vs. Could

Quiz