CAN - COULD

Front

What is the primary use of 'can' in English grammar?

Back

'Can' is used to express ability, possibility, or permission.

Front

What is the primary use of 'could' in English grammar?

Back

'Could' is used to express past ability, polite requests, or possibilities.

Front

How do you form a question using 'can'?

Back

To form a question with 'can', invert the subject and 'can', e.g., 'Can you swim?'

Front

How do you form a question using 'could'?

Back

To form a question with 'could', invert the subject and 'could', e.g., 'Could you help me?'

Front

What is the difference between 'can' and 'could' when expressing ability?

Back

'Can' refers to present ability, while 'could' refers to past ability.

Front

Provide an example of a polite request using 'could'.

Back

'Could you please pass the salt?'

Front

How do you express inability in the past using 'could'?

Back

Use 'couldn't' to express inability in the past, e.g., 'I couldn't swim when I was younger.'

Front

What is a common structure for asking about permission using 'can'?

Back

A common structure is 'Can I [verb]?', e.g., 'Can I leave early?'

Front

What is a common structure for asking about permission using 'could'?

Back

A common structure is 'Could I [verb]?', e.g., 'Could I borrow your pen?'

Front

How can 'can' be used to express possibility?

Back

'Can' can indicate that something is possible, e.g., 'It can rain tomorrow.'