Can or could in English

In this chapter the difference between the modal verbs 'can' and 'could' will be explained. These verbs are always used together with another verb.

Lesson outline

Hide

1.Usage of the English modal verb can
2.Usage or the English modal verb could
3.Difference between can and could
4.Exercises
4.1.Practice the modal verbs can and could
4.2.Exercise modal verbs can and could

1) Usage of the English modal verb can

'Can' is a modal verb that can be used to express ability, permission, possibility, request or offer. The following tables show the usage of the modal verb 'can'

Use	Example
Abiliity	I can dance.
Permission	Can I go to my friends today?
Possibility	It can be very hot in the summer here.
Request	Can you help me?
Offer	Can we help you?

Have a question?

Take online language lessons with a professional teacher

Native & verified teachers
Free trial lesson
Learning materials included

Kate C.

Rocío G.

Virginia F.

Robyn T.

Stanislav Z.

Sophia R.

Gwendolyn A.

Liudmyla K.

Matamela N.

Artem M.

Sign up for free

2) Usage or the English modal verb could

'Could' is a modal verb that can be used to express ability, permission, possibility, request or offer.The following tables show the usage of the modal verb 'could'.

Use	Example
Ability	I could speak English.
Permission	He could go to the city center his mom said.
Possibility	It could be a nice party tomorrow.
Request	Could you give me the paper, please?
Offer	I could help you, if you want.

Difference between can and could

'Could' is a form of the verb 'can' and they seem to be used the same way in the same situations. But these forms are not always used the same.'Could' is considered to be more polite than 'can'.

Can I ask you a question?
Could I ask you a question?

The table below shows the different uses of the verbs and shows what the difference between 'can' and 'could' is.

Situation	Examples	Can vs. could
Ability	She can speak French. She could speak French.	When talking about abilities, 'can' is used for the present or future and 'could' is used for the past.
Permission	Can I borrow your pants? Could I borrow you pants?	'Can' and 'could' can both be used to ask or give permission, but 'could' is more polite.
Possibility	It can be very hot in the summer. It could be very hot in the summer.	'Can' is used to make general statements and 'could' is used for: The past To show something is possible in the future. To show that something was possible in the past, but did not happen.
Request	Can you get my jacket? Could you get my jacket?	To use 'could' to do a request is more polite than to use 'can'.
Offer	Can we help you with those bags? I could help you with those bags.	Normally 'can I...' is used to make offers, but sometimes 'I can...' or 'I could...' are used.