Modals - can/could
Elementary (A2)en
Can / could (ability, possibility)
Modal Verbs – CAN and COULD
In this lesson, you will learn how to use can and could to talk about:
- ability
- permission
- polite requests
1. What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs are special verbs that help us talk about:
- ability
- possibility
- permission
- requests
Important rules:
- Modal verbs do not change (no -s for he / she / it)
- They are followed by the base verb
- They do not use do / does
✓ “She can swim.”
✘ “She cans swim.”
✘ “She cans swim.”
✓ “Can you help me?”
✘ “Do you can help me?”
✘ “Do you can help me?”
2. CAN – Main Uses
2.1 Ability
Use can to talk about things you are able to do now.
Structure: (Positive sentences)
Subject + can + base verb
Examples:
- “I can swim.”
- “She can drive.”
- “They can speak English.”
Structure: (Negative sentences)
Subject + cannot / can't + base verb
Examples:
- “I can’t swim.”
- “She can’t drive.”
- ”They can't speak English.”
2.2 Asking for permission (Informal)
Use can to ask for or give permission in everyday situations.
Structure: (Questions)
Can + subject + base verb?
Examples
- “Can I sit here?”
- “Can we use your phone?”
2.3 Requests (Informal)
Use can to ask someone to do something.
Structure: (Questions)
Can + subject + base verb?
Examples:
- “Can you help me?”
- “Can you repeat that, please?”
Short answers:
- Yes → “Yes, I can.”
- No → “No, I can’t.”
3. COULD – Main Uses
3.1 Ability in the Past
Use could to talk about general ability in the past.
Structure: (Positive sentences)
Subject + could + base verb
Examples:
- “I could ride a bike when I was five.”
- “She could read very early.”
Structure: (Negative sentences)
Subject + could not / couldn't + base verb
Examples:
- “I couldn't ride a bike when I was five.”
- “She couldn't read.”
3.2 Polite Requests
Use could to be more polite than can.
Structure: (Questions)
Could + subject + base verb?
Examples:
- “Could you help me, please?”
- “Could you open the door?”
(More polite than “Can you…?”)
3.3 Polite Permission
Use could to politely ask for permission.
3.3 Polite Permission
Use could to politely ask for permission.
Structure: (Questions)
Could + subject + base verb?
Examples:
- “Could I leave early today?”
- “Could we sit here?”
4. CAN vs COULD
Use can when:
- talking about ability now
- being informal
Use could when:
- talking about ability in the past
- being polite
Examples:
- “I can swim.” (ability now)
- “I could swim when I was five.” (ability in the past)
5. Easy Way to Remember
- Can → now, informal
- Could → past, polite
Practice Exercises
Test your knowledge with interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises
Can / could (ability, possibility)
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Related Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with words related to this grammar topic
Can / could (ability, possibility)
A2Modals (Can/Could)
2 wordscan
noun
A container, typically cylindrical, used for storing liquids or food.
I opened a can of soup for dinner.
could
verb
Used to indicate possibility or ability in the past.
I could swim when I was five years old.