How do you know when to use ‘can’ and when to use ‘could’?
This grammar is all over the English language.
Listen in today and learn real tips and tricks for every conversation.
What can you do that’s surprising?
Aubrey asks Lindsay what she can do that surprises people.
Lindsay shares that she can touch her nose with her tongue.
Some people find that surprising.
Aubrey shares that she has a double-jointed thumb.
She can pull her thumb back and have it touch the knuckles on her hand.
Aubrey’s son was so impressed by this and then found out he could do it as well.
Today’s episode is inspired by a listener’s question via Youtube comments about the words ‘can’ and ‘could.’
Today’s question
Many thanks for your podcast. I’m feeling amazing with my American accent now. It has helped me a lot, and I have a question about the difference between ‘can’ and ‘could’ when we ask questions in the present tense? Because I know we ask with ‘could’ only in the past.
Thanks❤❤
@MohamedaMj33
Tricky grammar
The use of the words ‘can’ and ‘could’ may be confusing.
It can be tricky to figure out whether to use ‘can’ or ‘could’ when asking questions.
Using the word ‘could’ isn’t just for referring to the past.
It can also be used as a polite form of ‘can’.
Lindsay and Aubrey will dive more into this in today’s episode.
They will share real tips and tricks for you to easily understand and use this grammar structure appropriately.
#1: Can
The word ‘can’ is a modal verb, which is a type of auxiliary verb that indicates ability, possibility, suggestion, or obligation.
We use ‘can’ in several different ways.
Here are the different ways you can use them with some examples:
- Asking for permission: “Can I borrow your pen?” or “Can I ask you for a favor?”
- Making requests: “Can you call back later?” or “Can you grab me that book?”
- Making offers: “Can I help you with anything?” or “Can we do anything for you?”
- Reproaching: “Can you please stop making that noise?” or “Why can’t you just be nice to her instead of upsetting her?”
#2: Could
The word ‘could’ has the same meaning but ‘can’ is considered colloquial, while ‘could’ is more polite and formal.
If you look at the examples above, you can replace ‘can’ with ‘could.’
Here are some examples:
- Could you pass me the bread, please?
- Server: Could I get you anything else?
‘Could’ can also be used to indicate possibility in the present and future.
Here are examples:
- We could have gone out but we decided to stay home.
- You could win the lottery if you buy a ticket.
You can also use ‘could’ to refer to something that was generally possible or an ability that someone generally had in the past.
Here are some examples:
- When I was younger, I could lift weights without being sore the next day.
- When we first met, we could talk for hours on the phone.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay using the tips and tricks shared in today’s episode.
This will help you see whether to use either ‘can’ or ‘could’ in your conversation.
In this scenario, Aubrey and Lindsay are reminiscing about their childhood summers.
Aubrey: When I was a kid, I could run around all day and never get tired! (past tense)
Lindsay: Same! I can’t do that now! (indicating ability / could say “I couldn’t do that now!”)
Aubrey: Did you hang out with friends a lot in your neighborhood?
Lindsay: Oh yeah – we’d go to the neighbors’ and say, “Can Marie come out and play?” (permission/request)
Aubrey: Same. We’d all play in the backyard until my mom would come out and say, “Can you please stop making such a racket! (reproaching)
Lindsay: And then the backyard would be a disaster and we’d have to clean up. My friends were pretty good about asking how they could help. (making offers)
Takeaway
This is a very high level English skill to know when and how to use ‘can’ and ‘could.’
Today’s tips can help you connect.
You can start a conversation using ‘can’ and ‘could’ by sharing about your past.
Talking about your childhood memories is always a great way to connect.
You can also share things that you are currently doing or things that you’ve been learning and now can do well.
These are great connection topics.
You can check our previous All Ears English episodes to learn more about ‘can’ and ‘could’.
Listen to AEE 2127: We Couldn’t Be More Excited About this Episode and AEE 1095: How to Say That You Could Be Convinced in English.
What are other tricky words and grammar structures that you are confused about?
Share one in the comments below.
