Learn to talk about abilities and ask for permission politely. Master when to use can for present abilities and could for past abilities or polite requests.
Master using 'can' and 'could' for abilities and permission. Learn to talk about what you're able to do and ask for things politely in English.
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CAN = present ability or permission. COULD = past ability, or polite requests.
Politeness
'Can you help?' is direct. 'Could you help?' is more polite. In formal situations, 'could' is always the safer choice for requests.
'Can' and 'could' are modal verbs that help us talk about abilities and permission. They are essential for everyday conversations in English.
"I can speak English well."
"She can drive a car."
"Can I use your phone?"
"I could ride a bike when I was 5."
"He could run very fast as a child."
"Could you help me, please?"
Use 'can' for present situations and 'could' for past situations or more polite requests
✓ Present: I can swim. (now)
✓ Past: I could swim when I was younger. (before)
✓ Polite request: Could you help me? (more polite than "Can you help me?")
Last year, Maria could only say a few words in English. She couldn't understand movies or songs.
She started taking lessons and practising every day. Now she can have conversations with native speakers!
Yesterday at work, she asked her boss: "Could I present the report in English?" Her boss was impressed.
Maria's colleague said: "You can speak English so well now! When I was young, I could speak three languages, but I forgot two."
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Understand the main differences and when to choose 'can' or 'could'.
| Situation | Use CAN | Use COULD |
|---|---|---|
| Present Ability | ✓ I can speak French. | ✗ (not for present ability) |
| Past Ability | ✗ (not for past) | ✓ I could swim at age 5. |
| Informal Permission | ✓ Can I borrow your pen? | ✓ (more formal) |
| Polite Requests | ✓ Can you help me? | ✓ Could you help me? (more polite) |
| Possibility | ✓ It can rain tomorrow. | ✓ It could rain tomorrow. |
Choose 'can' or 'could' for each sentence:
1. I __________ speak Spanish when I lived in Spain. (past ability)
2. __________ you pass me the salt, please? (polite request)
3. She __________ play the piano very well. (present ability)
1. could
2. Could (or Can for less formal)
3. can
Want to try a Can & Could quiz?
Practice with multiple choice questions
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Learn how to form positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions with 'can' and 'could'.
I can swim.
She could speak French.
They can help you.
I cannot swim.
She could not speak French.
They cannot help you.
Short forms: can't, couldn't
Can you swim?
Could she speak French?
Can they help me?
✗ I can to swim.
✓ I can swim.
✗ She could to speak.
✓ She could speak.
I can / You can / He can
I could / You could / She could
We can / They can
No changes for he/she/it
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Ready to test your Can & Could knowledge?
Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises
See how 'can' and 'could' are used in different everyday situations.
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❌ I can to speak English.
✓ I can speak English.
Never use 'to' after can/could
❌ She cans swim very well.
✓ She can swim very well.
'Can' doesn't change for he/she/it
❌ I could spoke French when I was young.
✓ I could speak French when I was young.
Use base form of verb after can/could
❌ Can I to use your phone?
✓ Can I use your phone?
No 'to' in questions either
❌ He don't can swim.
✓ He cannot swim. / He can't swim.
Use 'cannot' or 'can't' for negative
Master Can & Could sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
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To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!
I can speak three languages fluently.
Could I borrow your pen, please?
She can swim very well.
When I was younger, I could run faster.
Can you help me with this problem?
They could see the mountains from their window.
We can meet tomorrow if you're available.
Could you please speak more slowly?
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