Can & Could Flashcards
Do we use can’t or couldn’t for impossibilities?
Can’t.
Ex.: This can’t be true.
We _____ go out on the weekend (suggestion).
We could go out on the weekend.
It _____ be hard to make friends at a new school (general truth).
It can be hard to make friends at a new school.
We _____ go to the party (impossibility).
We can’t go to the party.
Do we use “could have” or “can have” to make guesses about the past?
Could have.
Ex.: She could have got lost.
Spring _____ be very rainy at the coast (past general truth).
Spring could be very rainy at the coast.
Do we use can’t have or couldn’t have for past impossible events?
Both.
Ex.: They can’t have lost the tickets.
They couldn’t have lost the tickets.
Anna _____ speak three languages like a native (skill).
Anna can speak three languages like a native.
Brandon _____ not play the piano well when he was five (past skill).
Brandon couldn’t play the piano well when he was five.
Can we use “can” and “can’t” to talk about the ability to do something in the future?
Yes.
Ex.: We can visit you tomorrow.
“Could have” refers to the not taken opportunity to do something in the past.
Is that true?
Yes.
Ex.: She could have learned French, but she gave up.
“Can I ask you a question?” is more polite than “Could I ask you a question?”
Is that true?
No. “Could I ask…” is more polite.
Yes, you _____ (permission).
Yes, you can.
No, you _____ (permission).
No, you can’t.
We use “can” to make suggestions.
Is that true?
No, we use “could”.
Ex.: You could come around some day.
