Foundation grammar · Unit 30 · A2

can and could

Modals, imperative etc.

Use can for ability and possibility now, could and couldn't for the past, and Can you ... ? Could you ... ? Can I ... ? Could I ... ? to ask for things politely.

Go to the exercises

A can + infinitive

Mr Hughes is seventy-eight and has just learned the drums. He says: I can play the drums. His neighbours can confirm this.

The form is can + infinitive (can do, can play, can come etc.):

Subject can Infinitive
I / we / you / they / he / she / it can do, play, see, come etc.
I / we / you / they / he / she / it cannot (can't) do, play, see, come etc.

Questions: Can I / you / she ... do? play? see? come?

  • He can play the drums.
  • I can't see anything.
  • Can you come tomorrow?

B I can do something: I know how, or it is possible

I can do something means that I know how to do it, or that it is possible for me to do it.

  • I can ride a horse. My sister can ride a horse too.
  • Dylan can speak Welsh, but he can't speak French.
  • "Can you drive?" "Yes, but I don't enjoy it."
  • "Can you change a ten-pound note?" "Sorry, I can't."
  • We're having a barbecue on Sunday, but Rosie and Tom can't come.

C could and couldn't for the past

For the past (yesterday, last year etc.) we use could and couldn't.

  • When I was ten, I could swim a mile without stopping.
  • When Marek moved to Leeds, he couldn't speak much English. Now he can speak it very well.
  • The neighbours were very noisy last night. I couldn't sleep.
  • We had a barbecue last Sunday, but Rosie and Tom couldn't come.

D Can you ... ? Could you ... ? Can I ... ? Could I ... ?

We use Can you ... ? or Could you ... ? when we ask people to do things. Could is a little more polite.

We use Can I have ... ? or Could I have ... ? to ask for something.

Can I ... ? or Could I ... ? means Is it all right if I ... ?

  • Can you close the gate, please? or Could you close the gate, please?
  • Can you hold this for a second? or Could you hold this ... ?
  • (in a café) Can I have a cup of tea, please? or Could I have ... ?
  • Mum, can I use your laptop? or Mum, could I use your laptop?
  • (on the phone) Hello, can I speak to Sian, please? or ... could I speak ... ?

Exercises

30.1 Items 1 to 6: ask Gethin if he can do these things. Items 7 to 12: can you do these things? Write sentences about yourself with I can or I can't.

  1. A woman is riding a bike with no hands on the handlebars.

    (ride a bike)

    Can you ride a bike?

    Can you ride a bike?

  2. A boy is skating round an ice rink.

    (skate)

  3. A girl is playing a guitar at a party.

    (play the guitar)

  4. A man is juggling three oranges.

    (juggle)

  5. A woman is driving a car along a country lane.

    (drive)

  6. A man is singing in a choir.

    (sing)

  7. (ride a bike)

  8. (skate)

  9. (play the guitar)

  10. (juggle)

  11. (drive)

  12. (sing)

30.2 Complete the sentences. Use can or can't + one of these verbs.

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  1. I've left my glasses at home, so I can't read the menu.

    I've left my glasses at home, so I can't read the menu.

  2. Walk up to the top of the hill. You the sea from there.

  3. Turn the music down, please. I what you're saying.

  4. Could you get that box down for me? I it.

  5. Joe is brilliant with cars. He almost anything.

30.3 Complete the sentences. Use can't or couldn't + one of these verbs.

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  1. The lid was too tight. I couldn't open the jar.

    The lid was too tight. I couldn't open the jar.

  2. We were busy last weekend, so we to your barbecue.

  3. Tom likes both jackets. He which one to buy.

  4. I looked everywhere for my phone yesterday, but I it.

  5. Holly the match on Saturday. She was at work.

  6. I knew the woman's face at the party, but I her name.

30.4 What do you say in these situations? Use can or could, and the word in brackets.

  1. You are cold, and your friend is sitting next to an open window.

    (close)

    Could you close the window, please?

    Could you close the window, please?

  2. You are eating chips. The ketchup is at the other end of the table, next to your brother.

    (pass)

  3. You are trying to study. Your flatmate's music is very loud.

    (turn down)

  4. You have finished your meal in a restaurant and want to pay.

    (have)

  5. You need to write down a phone number. The man next to you has a pen.

    (lend)

  6. Your phone has no battery. You want to make a call on your friend's phone.

    (use)

See also