Can & Could Grammar

Can - Could
Both Can and Could are Modal Verbs. In general Could is considered more polite (or formal) that Can.
CAN
The three main uses of Can are: 1) ability 2) possibility and 3) permission. However there are some other used of Can as
we will see below.
1. To express ability
Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.
• Birds can fly.

• Elephants can't fly.
• I can speak two languages.
2. To express a possibility (in general)
This refers to a theoretical possibility.

Note: we don't use can to talk about future possibilities. For this you would use may or might.
• It can get cold there at night so take a jacket.

• I know you can win the competition.
• Well, I think your car can be repaired, but it's not going to be cheap.
3. To offer to do something for others
Can is used when you offer to help someone or to do something for them.
• You don't need to walk home. I can take you there if you like.
• Can I carry 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 can use my umbrella, I don't need it right now.

• Can I sit in that chair please?
• Can I ask you a question?
• We can't leave the room until the assignment is completed.
5. Can't: Something that is forbidden or not allowed
• We cannot park the car next to this fire hydrant.

• You can drive as fast as you want on the German motorways.
• You can't smoke in the restaurant.
• You 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's only 4.30pm!

• They can't have landed on the moon, I'm sure it's a hoax.
COULD
Could is similar to Can and often replaces Can in the past tense (though not always)
1. To express ability in the past
• I could ride a horse when I was younger but now I can't.

• She could juggle eight balls when she was only 10 years old.
• He could read when he was three years old.
2. Polite word used to ask for permission or to request something (in the present)
• Could I please use your bathroom?

• Could we move on to the next topic now please?
• Could you pass me the salt please?
• I'm busy right now. Could you call back later?
3. General permission in the past
• In high school, we couldn't leave the classroom without a pass.

• He couldn't go to the concert because his mother wouldn't let him.
4. A suggestion when asked what to do (choices and opportunities)
• He could try and fix it himself.

• We could go to the movies if you are interested.
5. Couldn't: Sure that something is untrue
Just like can't, you can use couldn't when you are sure that something isn't true or real.
• That couldn't be my cat meowing outside, it was hit by a car last week.
• He couldn't have painted that. He has no artistic ability at all.
6. Could + have + past participle: To express a possibility in the past
To express that something was possible but did not happen.
• We were lucky because it could have rained but it didn't.

• Why did you do that? You 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, but they did not try to do it. Sometimes this is a form of
criticism.
• She could have married anyone she wanted to.

• Why did you sit there doing nothing? You could have helped me.
8. Could: A conditional form of Can
Would + Can = Could. Note: Would be able to can replace could in the following examples.
• If we had some oranges I could make you some fresh juice.
• I could write the letter if you told me what to include.
Fill in the blanks below to complete the sentences. Use the words in the above box.
1. I ___________ go to the party last night because I was sick.
2. A: ___________ Noel cook Italian food? B: Yes, he ___________.
3. My sister ___________ swim last year, but now she ___________.
4. They ___________ go shopping yesterday because the store was closed.
5. A: ___________ you read when you were four years old? B: Yes, I __________.
6. Ellie ___________ ride a bicycle. She rides it to school every day.
7. I’m very tired, so I ___________ go out to the park to play.
8. A: ___________ you see the moon last night? B: No, I ___________.
9. When ___________ I talk to you about the company report?
10. Most dinosaurs walked on land, but some ___________ fly or even swim.
11. Excuse me, I ___________ hear you right now. The music is too loud.
12. I ___________ drive a truck when I was only sixteen years old.
13. Douglas hit the tree because he ___________ stop his car.
14. How many hot dogs ___________ you eat at one time?
15. I ___________ read without my reading glasses. Where are they?

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Can - Could

Can means to be (physically) able to do something OR to know how to do something.

• Birds can fly.

2. To express a possibility (in general)

This refers to a theoretical possibility.

• It can get cold there at night so take a jacket.

3. To offer to do something for others

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

Can is used to ask for / request permission or to give permission.

• You can use my umbrella, I don't need it right now.

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

• We cannot park the car next to this fire hydrant.

• It can't be dark outside! It's only 4.30pm!

1. To express ability in the past

• I could ride a horse when I was younger but now I can't.

• Could I please use your bathroom?

3. General permission in the past

• In high school, we couldn't leave the classroom without a pass.

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

• He could try and fix it himself.

5. Couldn't: Sure that something is untrue

6. Could + have + past participle: To express a possibility in the past

To express that something was possible but did not happen.

• We were lucky because it could have rained but it didn't.

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

• She could have married anyone she wanted to.

8. Could: A conditional form of Can

1. I ___________ go to the party last night because I was sick.

2. A: ___________ Noel cook Italian food? B: Yes, he ___________.

3. My sister ___________ swim last year, but now she ___________.

4. They ___________ go shopping yesterday because the store was closed.

6. Ellie ___________ ride a bicycle. She rides it to school every day.

7. I’m very tired, so I ___________ go out to the park to play.

8. A: ___________ you see the moon last night? B: No, I ___________.

9. When ___________ I talk to you about the company report?

15. I ___________ read without my reading glasses. Where are they?

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2. A: _ Noel cook Italian food? B: Yes, he _.

3. My sister _ swim last year, but now she _.

8. A: _ you see the moon last night? B: No, I _.