Hi there, Vladimir here with another video on English Grammar
Today we will talk about CAN and COULD main difference and usage
but before you continue with this video please watch my video explaining Can
As we said in the CAN video modal verb CAN is mainly about Ability
He can swim
I can dance like Jagger
COULD is the past tense of CAN
He can swim (now)
He could swim at a very young age (past)
It was so noisy that we couldn't hear anything at the meeting yesterday
Could you hear what he said?
Easy
here is where things get more interesting
The question form of CAN and COULD is often used for making Requests/Permission
Can you lend me your pen?
Could you help me with my homework?
The difference is that CAN is more casual and COULD is more polite
Can you lend me your car? (casual)
Could you lend me your car? (polite)
It is not about Ability, it is about Request
Request and Ability is what I call the Function of the grammar
Function means Purpose what is the idea you want to express
Can I borrow your car?
Could I borrow your car?
That's it. Let's recap
The Function of CAN is to talk about Abilities in the present, now
I can speak English.
COULD is about past Abilities
He couldn't pass his language test.
The Function of the question form is often about making Requests
Can you help me prepare for my language test?
Could you help me prepare for my language test?
COULD is more polite than CAN
Everything you need to know about grammar you can find in my book
English Grammar and Functions available on Amazon & virtuallynative.com
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