CAN vs COULD: The Differences

Between COULD vs CAN in English

How to Use CAN vs COULD

General Structures of CAN vs COULD in a Sentence

POSITIVE FORM (+) : Subject + CAN/COULD + Verb ( first form of the verb )

NEGATIVE FORM (-) : Subject + CAN/COULD + NOT + Verb ( first form of the
verb )

QUESTION FORM (?) : CAN/COULD+ Subject + Verb ( first form of the verb )

Using COULD vs CAN

1.ABILITY

CAN is used to express that someone is able to do something. ( Present Ability

)

Examples

• I can speak four languages.

• She can drive a car.

COULD is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. (

Past Ability )

Examples

• He could play football well when he was a kid.

• We could not ( couldn’t ) get a job at those times.

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2. POSSIBILITY

CAN is used to express that something is possible. ( Present Possibility )

Examples

• Alcohol can cause cancer.

• They can stay with us when they come.

COULD is used to express that something is possible in the past. ( Past

Possibility )

Examples

• A lot of crime could be prevented.

• This new method could be an important step in success.

3. PERMISSION

CAN is used to ask or give permission for something. ( Informal Permission )

Examples

• Can I use your book, please? ( ask for permission )

• If you want, you can go to the park. ( give permission )

COULD is also used to ask or give permission for something. “COULD” is used
as a more formal and polite form of “CAN”. ( Polite Permission )

Examples

• Could I take your book, please?

• Could I please use your computer?

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4. REQUEST

CAN is used in a question, which is not a real question, to ask somebody to do

something. We want somebody to do our request ( in an informal way,
especially between friends or family ). ( Informal Request )

Examples

• Can you make me coffee?

• Can you hand me the pen?

COULD is used in a question, which is not a real question, to ask somebody to

do something in a polite way. “COULD” is used as a more formal and polite
form of “CAN”. ( Polite Request )

Examples

• Could you lend me this book?

• Could you tell me where the post office is, please?

5. OFFER

CAN is used in offers to help someone or to do something for someone. (

Informal Offer )

Examples

• Can I help you?

• If they like, I can carry some bags for you.

COULD is used for making a suggestion. ( Suggestion )

Examples

• If you want,we could go out for dinner after school?

• You could always call me every day of the week if it is necessary.

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6.

For CAN NOT

It is used in negative saying ( when we are sure that something is not true or
something is surprising )

Examples

• It can’t be raining. The sun is shining and there are no rain clouds.

( The speaker means that s/he is sure that it isn’t raining because the sun is
shining and there are no rain clouds.)

It is also used in negative saying ( when something is forbidden or not allowed )

Example

• You can’t park the car there.

For ” COULD NOT”

It is used in negative saying ( when something is impossible to happen or

untrue)

Example

• He couldn’t have this house. He is poor.

( The speaker means that it’s not or it might not be possible because the sun is
shining and there are no rain clouds.)

7.

For “COULD” AS A CONDITIONAL FORM OF “CAN”;

When we are talking about past time in conditionals, we use “could” instead of
“can”.

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