Can or could in English
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In this chapter the difference between the modal verbs 'can' and 'could' will be explained. These verbs are always used together with another verb.
'Can' is a modal verb that can be used to express ability, permission, possibility, request or offer. The following tables show the usage of the modal verb 'can'
Use | Example |
---|---|
Abiliity | I can dance. |
Permission | Can I go to my friends today? |
Possibility | It can be very hot in the summer here. |
Request | Can you help me? |
Offer | Can we help you? |
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'Could' is a modal verb that can be used to express ability, permission, possibility, request or offer.The following tables show the usage of the modal verb 'could'.
Use | Example |
---|---|
Ability | I could speak English. |
Permission | He could go to the city center his mom said. |
Possibility | It could be a nice party tomorrow. |
Request | Could you give me the paper, please? |
Offer | I could help you, if you want. |
'Could' is a form of the verb 'can' and they seem to be used the same way in the same situations. But these forms are not always used the same.'Could' is considered to be more polite than 'can'.
The table below shows the different uses of the verbs and shows what the difference between 'can' and 'could' is.
Situation | Examples | Can vs. could |
---|---|---|
Ability |
| When talking about abilities, 'can' is used for the present or future and 'could' is used for the past. |
Permission |
| 'Can' and 'could' can both be used to ask or give permission, but 'could' is more polite. |
Possibility |
| 'Can' is used to make general statements and 'could' is used for:
|
Request |
| To use 'could' to do a request is more polite than to use 'can'. |
Offer |
| Normally 'can I...' is used to make offers, but sometimes 'I can...' or 'I could...' are used. |
Practice your knowledge of 'can' and 'could' with the following exercises.
Choose which form fits the sentence best: can or could?
I speak English very well.
Sir, you give me a paper towel, please?
It get very cold at night, so bring a sweater.
I help you?
I drop you off at the station, if you want.
we go to the party later?
He go to the party his mom said.
It get very hot at night, but it did not in the end.
I not believe that you said that.
Madam, you please help me?
Choose which form fits the sentence best: can or could?
I speak English very well.
Sir, you give me a paper towel, please?
It get very cold at night, so bring a sweater.
I help you?
I drop you off at the station, if you want.
we go to the party later?
He go to the party his mom said.
It get very hot at night, but it did not in the end.
I not believe that you said that.
Madam, you please help me?
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Hello!
I am Teacher Adan and I want you to speak and write English / Spanish. I have worked as an English teacher for more than 3 years with different groups and ages. I have also taught private classes, prepared students for international certifications and improved speaking in one to one lessons. The vast majority of my students succee when we work together as a team in the journey of learning a foreign language. As a result of my years of preparation and practice, I have got a university degree where I had the chance to teach subjects from my career in my senior year as well. I obtained a couple of certifications of trainings and seminars that I have been invited to and I recently obtained an international teaching certification (TEFL) and the English proficiency certificate in C2 level (advanced).
But let's focus on you and your interest in speaking a new language, I invite you to become part of my multiple students and finally be able to communicate in a different language even if your purpose is either for business, education or just for fun.
In my classes I involve my students with topics they are interested in, so that by the moment of speaking it is easy for them to discuss or give their point of view. I use technology to play games such as Kahoot, Google plataform, Charades, Quizizz and Kami. My students are always active producing and doing something so that the class is engaging and dinamic rather than only listening to the teacher. My methodology of work is based on having a learning environment where everyone can ask and participate in the language my students are learning. My main focus is to make everyone understand what I teach and how they can use in real life situations the content I give.
My learning materials are a book updated with the latest methods while learning a foreign language based on Person's content, the on-line tools I mentioned before so my students can develop interactive worksheets, speaking tasks, writings or vocabulary games and you (my student), who is the key to develop a well structured class with learning purposes.
I would love to receive an email from you in case of doubts or confirmation of the schedule for the class and get ready to become the next English / Spanish speaker.
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Adan is a very profesional teacher. One of the things I like the most is that he is very flexible person and adapts to my ability. Im really pleased with him.
Adan G.
Thanks Nuria. You are such a really good student too and dedicated. See you back in class soon.
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Hello everyone I am SAKI. I’m from Hyogo prefecture. I have been teaching Japanese in Italy.
Everyone who loves Japan, everyone who loves anime, everyone who loves Japanese TV series and everyone who loves Japanese food, I would like to share your loves!!
Let's speak Japanese together.
I have taught Japanese for 5 years in class and online.
・Conversation
・Chinese characters, Hiragana, Katakana
・grammar and business conversation
・About culture
Feel free to ask me questions!
✳︎favourites✳︎
・watching Miyazaki movies, reading books and manga
・I am a big fan of traveling and eating local foods
・I often go to Corse island for holiday. One of my favorite places! The sun, crystal clear water and delicious food.
・I like sports (especially volley ball and base ball!!)
I am looking forward to having a conversation with you!
Thank you
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Saki san explains very well. I enjoy the lessons very much. Its very good that we always start the lesson with repeating the previous lesson - it makes it easier for me to remember.
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Thank you very much dear, I send you a hug :)
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I hope to see you in my class!
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Alexis has over 7 years of teaching experience. He has experience in teaching to people from all around over the world. His classes are very interactive. Furthermore, he teaches English from A1 to B2 and Spanish to all levels. You will surely learn a lot!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Hello!
I am Teacher Adan and I want you to speak and write English / Spanish. I have worked as an English teacher for more than 3 years with different groups and ages. I have also taught private classes, prepared students for international certifications and improved speaking in one to one lessons. The vast majority of my students succee when we work together as a team in the journey of learning a foreign language. As a result of my years of preparation and practice, I have got a university degree where I had the chance to teach subjects from my career in my senior year as well. I obtained a couple of certifications of trainings and seminars that I have been invited to and I recently obtained an international teaching certification (TEFL) and the English proficiency certificate in C2 level (advanced).
But let's focus on you and your interest in speaking a new language, I invite you to become part of my multiple students and finally be able to communicate in a different language even if your purpose is either for business, education or just for fun.
In my classes I involve my students with topics they are interested in, so that by the moment of speaking it is easy for them to discuss or give their point of view. I use technology to play games such as Kahoot, Google plataform, Charades, Quizizz and Kami. My students are always active producing and doing something so that the class is engaging and dinamic rather than only listening to the teacher. My methodology of work is based on having a learning environment where everyone can ask and participate in the language my students are learning. My main focus is to make everyone understand what I teach and how they can use in real life situations the content I give.
My learning materials are a book updated with the latest methods while learning a foreign language based on Person's content, the on-line tools I mentioned before so my students can develop interactive worksheets, speaking tasks, writings or vocabulary games and you (my student), who is the key to develop a well structured class with learning purposes.
I would love to receive an email from you in case of doubts or confirmation of the schedule for the class and get ready to become the next English / Spanish speaker.
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Adan is a very profesional teacher. One of the things I like the most is that he is very flexible person and adapts to my ability. Im really pleased with him.
Adan G.
Thanks Nuria. You are such a really good student too and dedicated. See you back in class soon.
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Hello everyone I am SAKI. I’m from Hyogo prefecture. I have been teaching Japanese in Italy.
Everyone who loves Japan, everyone who loves anime, everyone who loves Japanese TV series and everyone who loves Japanese food, I would like to share your loves!!
Let's speak Japanese together.
I have taught Japanese for 5 years in class and online.
・Conversation
・Chinese characters, Hiragana, Katakana
・grammar and business conversation
・About culture
Feel free to ask me questions!
✳︎favourites✳︎
・watching Miyazaki movies, reading books and manga
・I am a big fan of traveling and eating local foods
・I often go to Corse island for holiday. One of my favorite places! The sun, crystal clear water and delicious food.
・I like sports (especially volley ball and base ball!!)
I am looking forward to having a conversation with you!
Thank you
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Saki san explains very well. I enjoy the lessons very much. Its very good that we always start the lesson with repeating the previous lesson - it makes it easier for me to remember.
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Valerie has over 17 years of teaching experience. She is also a DEFL examinator. This makes her the perfect person to help you prepare for an exam. She is very kind and patient, and you will surely learn a lot from her!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Angelina is a fantastic teacher! She helps me out in revising my English papers with enthusiasm and patience! I recommend her.
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