Can Vs Could

+ Can (Present): Ability, Possibility, Permission + Could (Past): Ability, Possibility, Permission

1. To express ability 1. To express ability in the past

Ex: - Birds can fly. Elephant can’t fly. Ex- I could play the piano when I was young.

- Elephants can’t fly. - I couldn’t write English language when I was 5

2. To express a possibility (In gen 60%) 2. To express a possibility in past (Could have v3

Ex- I can get cold there at night so takes a jacket Ex- Why did you do that? You could have broken your leg

3. To offer to do sth for others 3.

Ex- Can I carry your bags for you?

4. Give permission/ to request sth 4. Polite word use to ask for

permission/request sth(pres

Ex-Can I ask you a question? Ex-Could I please use your bedroom?

-Can I sit in that chair please? - Could you pass me the salt please?

5. Can’t :sth that is forbidden or not allowed 5.Couldn’t: Sure that sth is untrue

Ex-You can’t driver a car without a license. Ex-That couldn’t be my cat meowing outside,it was hit by

-He can’t smoke in the restaurant. a car last week.

6. Can’t: sure that sth is not true or sth is surprising 6. Couldn’t: General a permission in the past

Ex-it can’t be dark outside,it’s only 4:30 pm! Ex-I couldn’t go to the concern bz my wife wouldn’t me.