Can / Could + verb phrases

Both 'can' and ' could' are modal verbs that refer to 'a possibility', 'ability', 'permission', 'impossibility', or 'offer'.

​​Can - Can't

Could - Couldn't

Possibility and impossibility

We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain:
They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.)
They could be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.)

We use can to make general statements about what is possible:
You can easily get lost in this town. (= People often get lost in this town.)

We use can't or cannot to say that something is impossible:

You cannot be serious.

Multiple Choice

That ___ be true. (present tense)

• can't

• couldn't

• don't

• doesn't

We use can and can't to talk about someone's skill or general abilities:

He can swim like a fish.
They can't dance very well.

Drag and Drop

She ​ ​

Placeholder

speak several languages.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

could

does

tell

talk

Drag and Drop

Help! I ​

Placeholder

breathe.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

can't

don't

doesn't

We use can to ask for permission to do something:

Can I ask a question, please?
Can we go home now?

Could is more formal and polite than can:

Could I ask a question please?
Could we go home now?

We use can I … to make offers:

Can I help you?
Can I do that for you?

We sometimes say I can ... or I could ... to make an offer:

I can do that for you if you like.
I could give you a lift to the station.