Can vs Could

Rules
1.-Do not use infinitive. – Do not add (To can)

2.-Do not use gerunds. - Do not add (caning)

3.-Do not use s, es, ies. - Do not add (third person in singular rule).

4.-Do not need auxiliaries. - Do not add (Do, does, to be)

5.-Used with a verb. - Add (I can run)

6.-Do not add “to” the following verb - Do not add ( She can to cook )

Can – Puedo, poder - Present and Future (Casual)

Subj + Can + verb in base form + complement
Capability 1.- I can speak English very good. (PRESENT)
2.- You can walk at the park tomorrow. (FUTURE)
3.- Gloria can sing at the talent show. (PRESENT)
Offer 1.- Can I help you with that? (PRESENT)
2.- You can come to my house in an hour, if you want. (FUTURE)
3.- They can eat my lunch today. (PRESENT)
Certain 1.- Smoking can cause cancer if you do it very often. (PRESENT)
Possibilities 2.- Exercising every day, can improve our health. (PRESENT)
3.- You can pass the test, if you study. (PRESENT)
Request 1.- Can you tell me what time it is? (PRESENT)
2.- Can you give me a piece of bread with a juicy steak? (PRESENT)
3.- Can you provide me with your phone number? (PRESENT)
Permission 1.- Can I go to your birthday party? (PRESENT)
2.- Can I help you?
3.- You can do my homework.
Could – Podria/Pude, podia - Present and Past, future (Formal)
Subj + Could + verb B. + complement
Capability 1.- I could sing very good when I was a child. (PAST)
2.- We could run in the marathon tomorrow. (FUTURE)

Suggestions 1.- I could help you with your homework if you want. (PRESENT)
2.- You could improve your listening if you listen to music. (PRESENT)
3.- My mother could drive your motorcycle. (PRESENT)
Possibilities 1.- A lot of crimes could be prevented. (PRESENT)
No certain 2.- Our teacher could teach this topic better yesterday. (PAST)
3.- My future wife could be from England but I didn’t want to live there.
(Past)
Request 1.- Can you tell me what time it is? (PRESENT)
2.- Could you give me a piece of bread with a juicy steak? (PRESENT)
3.- Could you provide me with your phone number? (PRESENT)
Permission 1.- Could I go to your birthday party? (PRESENT)
2.- Could I help you?
3.- You could do my homework but I didn’t let you do it. (PAST)

Examples of can:

1.- My relatives can make a great party on Christmas day.

2.- My mother can cook very delicious because she is a pretty good chef.

3.- She can walk on the sand at the beach tomorrow.

4.- She can pass the interview because she will be prepared.

5.- Portuguese is a good language but English can be better for a job.

Examples of can:

Could

1.- I could learned Italian last year.

2.- My sister could pass her university’s exam yesterday.

3.- I could assist you in the class of mathematics last week.

4.- I could dance with you but you don’t like to dance.

5.- I could get married but I don’t have a boyfriend.

6.- You could be a great student if you study so much.

7.- Could you take a picture of me?

Modal verbs – Present

Subj + Modal + verb B. + complement
Can - Puedo 1.- Can you tell me where the sugar is?
2.- We can clean your front house tomorrow.
3.- Can I turn off my camera?

May - Podria 1.- How may I help you?

2.- May I go to the bathroom?
Possibility, request, Yes, you may go.
permission with hope.
Fully formality 4.- Today, it may rain all the day.
5.- I want to visit my grandma because she may feel alone.

3.- You may be happy.

4.- May you give me your full name please?
4.- May I go to your birthday party?

Might - podria 1.- You might call me when you need help but you don’t do it.
3.- Today, it could rain the whole day.
Possibility, reproach 2.- You might be happy but you don’t smile.
5.- Maria might come to see you at the hospital but she doesn’t
care about you.
6.- You might do your homework but you prefer to play soccer the
whole day.
7.- We might be fitness but we really like pizza and the coke.
8.- Your child might sick my son with COVID-19 and I am not happy
with that.
9.- Pepsi might be good but Coca-Cola is the best.
10.- Maria might be my girlfriend but she doesn’t want to be a
member of the church.
11.- You should put the mask because you might get COVID-19.

Might you be at the school?

Could - podria 1.- I could use your computer because I can’t receive my English
class in mine.
Possibility, request, 2.- Could you give me your full name please?
suggestions, permission 3.- I could go to play but I need to study.
 and past form of CAN 4.- You could be happy.
and COULD. 4- Could you give me your full name please?
4.- Could I go to your birthday party?

Would – ria 1.- I would eat that soup but I don’t like soup.
2.- She would open the store at 6 am, if she wakes up one hour
Would jump – saltaria before.
Would work- trabajaria 3.- I would work at a call center, if I could speak English.
Would eat - Comeria 4.- I would cook a delicious food but I don’t know how to cook.
Should – Deberia 1.- You should do your homework because it is for receiving more
knowledge about this topic.
Advice 2.- You should stop smoking otherwise you are gonna die bro.
3.- You should believe in yourself because you can do it.

Must – Debes, tener 1.- You must do your homework because it is for receiving more
que knowledge about this topic.
2.- You must stop smoking otherwise you are gonna die bro.
Obligation 3.- You must believe in yourself because you can do it.
Will – reference for 1.- She will rest after the class.
future 2.- I will eat cake for my birthday.
3.- We will take the bus to return to our home.
Shall

Subj + Modal + verb in base form + complement

1.- He can fight with your brother because they don’t get along well.
2.- We would be sad if we lost.
3.- I can write with my two hands because I broke my arm when I was a child.
1.- I can go to the supermarket because I have a car.
2.- I could go to the supermarket but I haven’t a car.
3.- Could you walk at the park in the afternoon?
4.- May I go to the kitchen room in the afternoon?
5.- May you give me a little water in a glass?
6.- Would you like to drink a soda with me?
7.- Can he do that job?
8.- Could you pass me the homework? I didn’t do it.
9.- They might do your homework right now.
10.- We should study for the next test.
11.- We would have a lot of money, if we save some.
12.- You must stop drinking raptor because it is not good for your health.
13.- I may bring my cloths because I want to change cloths to go out.
14.- May you give us the answer of the test if we behave well.
15.- He could sleep all day because he works at night.
16.- I would like to visit the United State next year because I would like to perfect my
English.
17.- If we could buy them, we would be happy.
18.- You must practice this sport a lot because you should be the best.
19.- Can our family buy them all?
Yes, they can.

Phrasal modals
Subj + PM + verb B. + complement
Have to – Must 1.- I have to do my homework.
1.- I must do my homework.
Tengo que
2.- I must work because I need the money.
2.- I have to work because I need the money.

4.- I have to cook tomorrow.

4.- I must cook tomorrow.

5.- We have to attend to all the classes.

5.- We must attend to all the classes.

6.- I have to listen to music because I need to memorize the lyrics to

improve my English.
Have got to – Must 1.- She’s gotta do my homework.
Have Gotta 1.- I must do my homework.
Tengo que 2.- I must work because I need the money.
3.- I’ve got to work because I need the money.

4.- She had got to travel yesterday but she was late at the airport.
5.- I have got to wash my cloths before it rains.
6.- He has got to finish the tesis because he needs the certification.

Be able to – Can 1.- I am able to run very fast.

2.- I can run very fast.
Capaz de
3.- You can be an astronaut.
3.- You are able to be an astronaut.

4.- You can ride a roller coaster tomorrow.

4.- You will be able to ride a roller coaster tomorrow.
4.- You are going to be able to ride a roller coaster tomorrow.

5.- You can’t eat during the class.

5.- You aren’t able to eat during the class.
5.- You aren’t going to eat during the class.

6.- He is able to sing every day.

7.- He is able to move his ears.
8.- They are able to learn really fast because they have a good
teacher.
Be supposed to – Should 1.- I am supposed to practice English every day.
1.- I should practice English every day.

2.- We should sleep 8 hours every day.

Se supone que tu debes 2.- We are supposed to sleep 8 hours every day.

3.-You should believe in yourself.

3.-You are supposed to believe in yourself.

4.-You are supposed to bring the food.

5.-You are supposed to listen to your elders.
6.-You are supposed to do your homework because it is your
responsibility.

We are supposed to be in that meeting

You should know it

You are supposed to know it.
Be permitted to – Can 1.- You can’t eat without me.
1.- You aren’t permitted to eat without me.
Tener permitido
2.- She can have her camera off in this class.
2.- She is permitted to have her camera off in this class.

3.- Can they enter to the class at 8 am?

Yes, they can.
3.- Are they permitted to enter to the class at 8 am?
Yes, they are.

4.- Amber heard isn’t permitted to take part in the movie Aqua man.
4.- Amber heard can’t take part in the movie Aqua man.

Be allowed to – Can 1.- You can eat without me.

1.- You are allowed to eat without me.
Tener permitido 1.- You are permitted to eat without me.

2.- She can have her camera in this class.

2.- She is allowed to have her camera in this class.
3.- Can they enter to the class at 8 am?
3.- Are they allowed to enter to the class at 8 am?
Yes, they are.

4.- In my job, I was not allowed to leave early.

Ought to – Should 1.- I should do some exercise every day.
Deberia 1.- I ought to do some exercise every day.

Oughtta 2.- She ought to change her look.

2.- She should change her look.

Ara

Had better – Should/Must 1.- You had better do your homework.

Mas vale que 1.- You must do your homework.
1.- You Should do your homework.

You had better have the lunch ready when I come back.

2.- You’d better run for your life because Jason is coming for you.
2.- You must run for your life because Jason is coming for you.
3.- He’d better remember my birthday or we are going to have a
problem here.
3.- You should remember my birthday or we are going to have a
 problem here.

4.- You had better repentance for your salvation.

Be going to – Will 1.- I will eat pizza in an hour.
1.- I am going to eat pizza in an hour.

Futuro incierto (futuro fallido)

1.- I was going to eat pizza in an hour.

2.- We were going to go to break in a moment.

Basic form - Subj + modal + verb base + complement

1.- She couldn’t eat any pizza.

2.- I couldn’t travel around the world.

3.- You can’t run very fast.

4.- I can have a successful company.

5.- She should cookpizza for lunch.

5.- She is supposed to cook pizza for lunch.

6.- I might study engineering but I don’t want to…

7.- Loki should kill Thor but he is his brother.

8.- You can give me another example because I want to know everything.

Only be – Subject + Modal + BE + Complement

1.- You must be at the school.

2.- It should be in Canada.

3.- We could be his friends.

4.- He should be a doctor but he doesn’t like it.

Progressive - Subj + modal + be + ING + complement

1.- We might not be working for you.

2.- You should be writing more paragraphs of new vocabulary.

3.- You can be traveling to Spain for vacations because I know you like that country.

4.- She can’t be eating peanut because she is allergic.

5.- Maria can be running at the park.

5.- Maria is able to be running at the park.

6.- The doctor can be working at the hospital.

6.- The doctor is able to be working at the hospital.

7.- They should be working in a call center because they already know English.

8.- We should be dancing on the TV.

Modal verbs in Past participle

Subj + modal + have + participio + comp

Present perfect

Have - Haber Auxiliary

Verb in participle

Work, worked, worked

I have been working for this company during 2 years.

I have worked for you.

She has run 5 kilometers to see you.

She has changed her t-shirt.

He has spent much money.

He will spend much money.

Shakira loved the teacher.

Shakira loves the teacher.

Shakira has loved the teacher her whole life.

My uncle has loved Shakira for 5 years.

1.-I + could + have + helped + her but I was not in the city.

2.- He should have cleaned the house.

3.- We might’ve helped the sister with her bags.

4.- I should have bought you flowers.

5.- I could have been in Guatemala.

6.- I could work with you yesterday.

Rules
1.-It does not use infinitive. – Do not add (To can)

2.-It does not use gerunds. - Do not add (ing)

3.-It does not use s, es, ies. - Do not add (third person in singular rule).

4.-It does not need auxiliars. - Do not add (Do, does, to be)

5.-it is used with a verb. - Add ( I can run )

6.-Do not add to the following verb - do not add ( She can to cook )
contracted short form original long form

aren't are not

can't cannot

couldn't could not

didn't did not

doesn't does not

don't do not

hasn't has not

contracted short form original long form

haven't have not

hadn't had not

isn't is not

mayn't may not

mightn't might not

mustn't must not

oughtn't ought not

shan't shall not

shouldn't should not

contracted short form original long form

wasn't was not

weren't were not

won't will not

wouldn't would not