can and could
Oct 27th 2009 06:26
I always confuse with can and could. When will use can/could? I know could is the past tense for can. Also, sometimes it is a subtle way to say "could". For example,"could you please......"
But can somebody use some specific examples for me to define these two words? Thank you.
But can somebody use some specific examples for me to define these two words? Thank you.
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Your entry was very interesting! Being an English native speaker, I never thought about the similarities between using 'can' and 'could' in a sentence. After a little thought, I think I know the difference! Hopefully this will help you:
Can and could are both auxiliary verbs. This just means that they put limitations on the main verb and change it. For example,
Can you open the door?
Could you open the door?
The 'can' and 'could' both change the main verb 'open'. Now, the difference is between how they change the main verb. When the word 'can' is used in the sentence 'Can you open the door?', you are asking if the person has the ability to open the door. Now, 'could' is a bit different. 'Could' is used to express possibility.
Therefore, 'could' is more polite than 'can' because 'can' assumes the person being spoken to has the ability to open the door, whereas 'could' allows the speaker to express the idea that the person spoken to could say 'no'.
I hope this wasn't too confusing, sometimes I can be unclear. Please let me know if you don't understand some parts so I can clarify it further for you! ^-^
Good luck with your studies!
-FugitiveGirl
For sentences like "could you please," "can you please" would also be understood.
"I can do that." [I am able to do that.]
"I could do that." [Maybe I can do that; it's a possibility.]
"Can" is usually used in a statement, for example:
"I can play piano."
"Could" is more often used as a response, for example:
A: "What should we do for the concert?"
B: "I could play piano."
B is offering to play piano in the concert.
If B said "I can play piano," it would be understood, but wouldn't be as correct, because "I can play piano," is a statement, not a response.
Sorry if I made this more confusing! I hope I helped a little. Please ask more questions if you need to :]
Even though I am a native speaker, I also think English is confusing ^^
Example:
I can speak English. (ability)
We can stay with my brother. (Opportunity)
Can I drink your beer. (request)
You can go to Wuxi tomorrow. (permission)
Could is often used as the conditional form of can, to express possibility or past ability, and also to make suggestions or requests.
Examples:
Drinking too much beer could make you sick. (possibility)
Fred could speak Russian when he was only ten. (past ability)
Could you please stop talking so loudly? (request)
We could fly to Paris if I had 20,000 RMB. (conditional)
I hope this helps. In truth even native English speakers often have a very hard time knowing when and how to use can or could.