Could vs Can grammar?

Both 'can' and ' could' are modal verbs that refer to 'a possibility', 'ability' or 'capacity'. 'Can' refers to a general truth or something that has a strong possibility. 'Could' refers to something that has a weak possibility, or something that might happen, but not necessarily a general truth.

Can and could sentences examples?

Could VS can in writing?

Whether these terms are interchangeable depends on how you use them: Discussing a Possibility: “Can” suggests a strong possibility or a general truth. “May” and “could” suggest we are less certain about something. Asking for Permission: You can use all three words to ask for permission.

Is it you could or you can?

To summarize, 'can' is the present tense version of the word and 'could' is the past tense version of the word. 'Could' is also used when a condition must be fulfilled in order for the thing to happen. 'Can' is used when there is nothing that would stop the thing from happening.

Can vs could in a question?

Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something ("Can I borrow your car?" "Can I get you something to drink?"). Could is the past tense of can, but it also has uses apart from that--and that is where the confusion lies.

CAN or COULD | The Difference Between CAN and COULD | Modal Verbs in English Grammar

Can or could you please?

We also use 'could' to ask permission; it is more polite or formal than 'can'. Changing the word order to "could you please" is no more or less polite - it's a matter of style. whether requests starting with "Please can/could you..." render the same degree of politeness as those that start with "Could you please...".

How can I use could in a sentence?

[M] [T] I could swim well even when I was a child. [M] [T] She thought she could get him to like her. [M] [T] She was so angry that she could not speak. [M] [T] Could you please repeat what you just said?

Can vs Could Will VS would?

Could is the past tense form of the verb 'can' which indicates a past ability of someone or possibility of an action or happening. On the other hand, would is the past of 'will' which indicates the intent or willingness of a person, in future, but from the past situation.

Can and could exercise?

Where can I use can?

Can I or could I?

Both 'can' and ' could' are modal verbs that refer to 'a possibility', 'ability' or 'capacity'. 'Can' refers to a general truth or something that has a strong possibility. 'Could' refers to something that has a weak possibility, or something that might happen, but not necessarily a general truth.

What is example of can?

"Can" is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. It can be used to express ability or opportunity, to request or offer permission, and to show possibility or impossibility. Examples: I can ride a horse.

Was able to VS could?

If you say that someone was able to do something, you usually mean that they had the ability to do it and they did it. Could does not have this meaning. After two weeks in bed, he was able to return to work. The farmers were able to pay their employees' wages.

Could can be used in future tense?

Well, It's future tense sentence. We don't use Could for suggestions in the present tense. It's always in the future when Could is followed by Verb in its base form, in this case Could is followed by save. But you can use Could for past suggestions.

Is could present tense?

Could is used for past and future instances, or sometimes in the present tense (although in the present tense it is normally describing a possibility or is part of a question). For example, She spoke so fast that I could not hear her, or, he could do it if he chooses to. In the present, we use can.

Could MAY CAN must?

The modal verb CAN shows that something is possible, allowed or somebody/something has the ability to do something. COULD is used as the past tense of can, or to talk about ability that was possible in the past. MAY and MIGHT are used to show that something is possible. MUST shows that something is necessary.

Can have VS could have?

Gillian can have her friends over after school. I can have a whole bottle of wine with my dinner if I so desire. It implies permission or ability. Could have implies the same thing except that the opportunity is not immediate or is based on a contingency, or that the statement is contrary to actual fact.

Could you or can you or would you?

Here are three explanations you'll usually come across: “Would you” is correct, because you are asking if someone will do something and not whether they can do it. “Would you” also sounds more polite than “Could you.” “Would you” and “Could you” are equally polite and valid ways to make a request.

Could you or can you more polite?

To answer the question: "could" definitely sounds slightly more polite than "can" to a native speaker since it is less direct and more deferential as a result. "Could" is a form of "can", so both are technically asking "are you able to...". This is not the difference between the two.

Could you please or could you kindly?

Whereas "Please could you..." is straightforward, conventional, polite and ubiquitous. Show activity on this post. I would prefer the word please in more formal communications. Kindly would be better-suited for familiar environments.

CAN is present or past?

The verb “can” in its present form is perfect to ask for permission or to give permission to someone. Also, its negative form, can't, can be used to refuse permission. Its past form, could, can be used to ask for permission in a more polite way.

How do you use could you please?

Can I help you vs Could I help you?

Broadly speaking, "can I help you?" is asking if you require any help, and "could I help you?" is asking for your permission if they should help you.

Should I or could I?

Just remember that could is used to talk about something that can happen, would is used to talk about something that will happen in an imagined situation, and should is used to talk about something that ought to happen or must happen. I hope this helps.