Can/Could/Would

Can/Could/Would

by Mme. Maloney

​Can, Could, Would???

​Can, Could, and Would are a type of verb called MODAL VERBS.

​

Modals are verbs that express possibility or necessity.

​

​They include: Should, Must, Shall, Will, Would, Can, Could, May, Might

​

​But we are going to focus on 3:

​CAN

​COULD

​WOULD

​CAN - Always Certain

1) ​Can is used to ask for permission.

​Can I go to the bathroom?

​Can I borrow a pen?

​2) Can is used to ask probability of something.

​Can he win the race?

​Do you think he can win the race?

​3) Can is used to suggest something in the future.

​If I finish my homework, can we go to the movies?

​Miss, if we finish the slides can we plan a Kahoot?

​COULD - Not certain Present, Certain Past

1) Could is primarily a PAST TENSE of can

​I can run for miles --> I could run for miles.

​

​2) Could is used to offer a possibility

​It could rain.

​

​3) Could is used to offer a suggestion

​You could help us clean up.

​Compare

​CAN

​1) Permission

​

​2) Probability of future

​

​3) Suggest of Future

​COULD

​1) Past Tense of Can

​

​2) Present Possibility

​

​3) Present Suggestion

​WOULD - Never certain!

1) Something Possible that you are imagining

I would quit my job if I won the lottery

​

​2) Describe future that is likely to happen, but not certain

​He said he would help me when he gets home

​

​3) Ask polite questions or wish for something

​Would you pass me the cookies?