Key Difference

• “Can” is used for abilities in the present or general truths.
  Example: “I can swim.” (I have the ability to swim now.)
• “Could” is used for abilities in the past, polite requests, or hypothetical situations.
  Example: “I could swim when I was five.” (I had the ability in the past.)

Breaking It Down

1. Using “Can”

• Present or General Ability:
  “Can” describes something you are able to do now or generally.
  Examples:
  • “She can play the piano beautifully.” 🎹
  • “I can drive a car.” 🚗
• Possibility or Permission (less formal):
  It also expresses permission or what is possible.
  Examples:
  • “You can borrow my book.” (Permission)
  • “It can get very cold in winter.” (Possibility)

2. Using “Could”

• Past Ability:
  “Could” is used to describe abilities you had in the past.
  Examples:
  • “He could run very fast when he was younger.” 🏃
  • “I could read before I started school.” 📖
• Polite Requests:
  Use “could” to make polite requests (more formal than “can”).
  Examples:
  • “Could you help me with my homework?”
  • “Could I borrow your phone, please?” 📱
• Hypothetical Situations:
  It describes what might happen under certain conditions.
  Examples:
  • “I could travel the world if I won the lottery.” 🌍
  • “If I practiced more, I could become a great painter.”

Key Differences in Meaning

• Can (Present):
  “I can cook.” (I know how to cook now.)
• Could (Past):
  “I could cook when I was 12.” (I knew how to cook in the past.)
• Could (Hypothetical):
  “I could cook more often if I had more time.” (I don’t have time now, but it’s a possibility.)

Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: “I can swim when I was five.”
✅ Correct: “I could swim when I was five.” (Past ability)

❌ Incorrect: “Could you go swimming right now?” (If asking about current ability)
✅ Correct: “Can you go swimming right now?”

Practice Time!

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “can” or “could”:

1. When I was younger, I _______ climb trees easily.
2. She _______ speak three languages fluently.
3. _______ you help me carry this bag?
4. If I had a better camera, I _______ take amazing pictures.

Answers:

1. When I was younger, I could climb trees easily.
2. She can speak three languages fluently.
3. Could you help me carry this bag?
4. If I had a better camera, I could take amazing pictures.