2023-01-07 23:49:45
@LearnbyEnglishlearners
both Can and Could are Modal Verbs. In generalCould is considered more polite
(or formal) than Can.
@LearnbyEnglishlearners
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.
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.
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.
@LearnbyEnglishlearners
COULD..
Could is similar to Can and often replaces Can in the past tense (though not always)
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.
Polite word used to ask for permission or to request something (in the present)
Could I please use your bathroom?
@LearnbyEnglishlearners
#grammar
#can_could
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