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Tin can - Could

English Grammer - Modal Verbs

Both Tin and Could are Modal Verbs. In full general Could is considered more polite (or formal) that Can.

Tin can

The three main uses of Can are: 1) power two) possibility and 3) permission. However there are another used of Can equally we volition see beneath.

one. To express ability

Tin can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to exercise something.

• Birds tin can fly.
• Elephants can't fly.
• I tin speak two languages.
• You can drive as fast as you want on the German language motorways.

2. To limited a possibility (in general)

This refers to a theoretical possibility.
Note: we don't use can to talk about time to come possibilities. For this you would use may or might.

• It tin go cold there at nighttime so accept a jacket.
• I know yous can win the contest.
• Well, I think your motorcar can be repaired, but it'south not going to be cheap.

3. To offer to do something for others

Can is used when you offer to help someone or to practice something for them.

• You lot don't need to walk habitation. I can take you there if you like.
• Can I deport your bags for you?

4. To ask for or give permission / To request something

Can is used to ask for / request permission or to give permission.
Note: Can't is used to refuse permission.

• You tin can utilize my umbrella, I don't need information technology correct now.
• Tin can I sit down in that chair please?
• Mary, you can play outside if you like.
• Can I enquire you a question?
• You can't go to the park. It will still be wet from the rain concluding night.
• We tin't leave the room until the assignment is completed.

5. Can't: Something that is forbidden or not immune

• We cannot park the motorcar next to this burn hydrant.
• Yous can't drive as fast as you lot want in the urban center. There are speed limits.
• You can't smoke in the eating house.
• Yous cannot drive a car without a license.

6. Can't: when you are sure that something isn't true or something is surprising

• It can't be dark outside! It'south simply iv.30pm!
• They can't have landed on the moon, I'm certain information technology's a hoax.

For more examples, including how to make questions, see our grammar notes virtually Can - Cannot. You might also want to see our Can - Can't - Cannot Game

COULD

Could is like to Tin and often replaces Can in the past tense (though non always)

one. To express ability in the past

• I could ride a equus caballus when I was younger only at present I tin't.
• She could juggle eight balls when she was only 10 years erstwhile.
• He could read when he was three years sometime.

2. Polite word used to ask for permission or to request something (in the present)

• Could I please use your bath?
• Could we motion on to the next topic now please?
• Could you laissez passer me the salt please?
• I'm decorated right at present. Could y'all think later?

3. Full general permission in the by

• In high school, we couldn't leave the classroom without a pass.
• He couldn't go to the concert because his mother wouldn't allow him.

4. A proposition when asked what to do (choices and opportunities)

• He could endeavour and fix it himself.
• Nosotros could go to the movies if yous are interested.

5. Couldn't: Sure that something is untrue

Just similar can't, you tin can use couldn't when you are sure that something isn't true or real.

• That couldn't exist my cat meowing outside, information technology was striking past a car terminal calendar week.
• He couldn't have painted that. He has no artistic ability at all.

half-dozen. Could + have + by participle: To express a possibility in the by

To express that something was possible but did not happen.

• We were lucky because information technology could have rained but it didn't.
• Why did you lot practice that? Y'all could have broken your leg.

7. Could + have + past participle: Unrealised past ability

This is used to say that someone was able to do something, just they did non try to do it. Sometimes this is a form of criticism.

• She could have married anyone she wanted to.
• Why did you sit down there doing nothing? You lot could have helped me.

8. Could: A conditional class of Tin can

Would + Can = Could. Note: Would be able to can replace could in the post-obit examples.

• If we had some oranges I could brand you some fresh juice.
• I could write the letter if y'all told me what to include.

Can vs Could Summary Chart

Next activity

See our more than unproblematic notes about Can and Cannot.

See our notes most other Modal Verbs.

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Source: https://www.grammar.cl/english/can-could.htm

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