CAN AND COULD

For Ability
 Can-Can't

I can play the violin.

They can make delicious cakes.

Sally can speak three languages.

Jane and Peter can ride a horse

well.
➤ We use can to describe the ability to do something.

E.g: Our cat is amazing- it can sing!

We use can to describe the ability to do something in the

present.

E.g: I can ride a motorbike now.

My sister can eat with chopsticks.

The negative form of can is cannot (can't).

E.g: I can't cook.

I'm afraid of the water because I can't swim.

My sister can't drive a car.

I can't lift 100 kilos.

My little brother can't run fast.

 COULD-COULDN'T
My brother could play the piano when he was a child.

I could swim when I was four.

Three years ago, I could run hundred metres in 13 seconds.

➤ We use could to describe the ability to do something in the

past.
The negative form of could is could not (couldn't).

E.g: I couldn't cook when I was at primary school.

They couldn't dance very well.

Tim couldn't swim when he was four.

 Question Form

Can he play a musical instrument?

-Yes, he can.

Could you speak English when you were younger?

-Yes, I could.
COMPLETE THE GAP WITH CAN, CAN'T, COULD
ORTom
1. COULDN'T.
____________ play the guitar really well.
2. I ______________ remember his name. Do you know it?
3. You ____________ install this program without a
password.
4. Not many people ______________ run a marathon in
less than three hours.
5. My cat was smart she ______________ close the door
with her paws. ____________ your cat open the door?
6. Last year I _____________ understand much English.
Now I _____________ understand a lot more.
7. A: __________ your dad fix racing cars?
B: Yes, he __________ . He's a good mechanic.