Can and Could

Watch Video

Using Can and Could in Questions and Statements

Let's compare these words for differences in meaning.

Example	Meaning	In Use
Can you come to the store with me?	Are you able to come to the store with me?	In questions, you can use either can or could most of the time. The difference in meaning is not significant. Since could suggests more uncertainty, it is often used in questions when the speaker is less sure of the outcome.
Could you come to the store with me?	Is it possible for you to come to the store with me?
I can work on the project.	I am able to work on the project.	In statements, use can to express a positive idea. Use could if there is uncertainty. Also, use could to answer a question that uses could. Example: Could you do it for me? Yeah, I could.
I could work on the project if I knew more about it.	It may be possible for me to work on the project if I have more information.

Practice

Take a moment to write three questions using can and three more questions using could.

Now answer the following questions. Please answer in complete sentences.

1. Can you play an instrument? If so, which one?

2. Can you cook? If so, what can you cook well? If not, what is one thing that you can cook?

3. Can you dance?

4. Can you play any sports? If so which one(s)?

5. Could you walk or run for 5 miles if you needed to do so?

6. Could you organize a social event for your friends or coworkers?

7. Could you write a 3 page essay in English if you needed to do that for work?

8. Could you gather online data for a school project or work assignment?
 
Could is also used in the Past Tense. Learn about Conditionals Used in the Past Tense and to Express Regret.

* www.speakmethod.com is a part of I.E. Tutoring, Seattle, WA, which holds the copyright to all materials. Subscribers may print images and pages for individual use, but not for commercial use or distribution. *