Correct Use of CAN and COULD | What's the Difference? | Modal Verbs in English Grammar

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Transcript:
Hello there. You know, I get this question all the time – both from my students in my classes and on YouTube – what is the difference between ‘can’ and ‘could’? Well, in this lesson, I will teach you the three main differences between these modal verbs and I’ll show you how to use them correctly without making mistakes. As always, there is a quiz at the end of the video to test your understanding. The very first thing you should know is the basic use of ‘can’. This verb is used to show ability. Here are some examples: I can play the guitar. He can lift heavy weights. She can beat anyone at chess! So, all of these express ability. What about what ‘could’ then? Well, ‘could’ is just the past tense of can. I can say: I could play the guitar when I was in school. That means, I had the ability in the past, but now I can’t play the guitar because it’s been a long time and I’m out of practice. Here a couple more examples: He could lift heavy weights until he had the accident. She could beat anyone at chess in her prime! ‘In her prime’ means in her best years. Maybe when she was younger and was playing competitively. So in these sentences – ‘can’ shows present ability, and ‘could’ shows past ability. This is the first difference between the two words. The second difference is when we want to talk about possibility. To talk about what is possible, we normally use ‘could’ and not ‘can’. Now, imagine that you and me, we’re both waiting for a train at a train station. It’s time for the train to arrive but we don’t see it. So I might say: Hmm, the train could be late. So I’m making a guess about the current (or the present) situation, saying what is possible. Here’s another one: If you don’t study, you could fail the exam. Are you sure to fail the exam? No. You could pass. But I’m saying that it’s possible that if you don’t study, you’ll fail. Notice that this sentence talks about future possibility. Ah, but I have a question – we just talked about present and future possibility. Can we talk about past possibility? Yes, we can. Here’s an example: Robert could have gotten the job if he had gone to the interview. So what do we understand from that? Well, there was a job interview. It was possible for Robert to go to the interview and get the job. But he didn’t go. So he didn’t get the job. Now, as I said before, we use ‘could’ in all these sentences to talk about what’s possible in the past, present, and future, but there is one situation where you can use ‘can’ and that is when you want to talk about general possibility. For example: You can catch a cold if you go out in the rain. Traveling across Europe can be quite expensive. You can see that these are just general statements about what is possible in the world. In this case, it’s OK to use ‘can’, but this use is less common. Normally, when we talk about possibility in our lives we use ‘could’. Remember that. Alright, let’s now move on to the final use of ‘can’ and ‘could’, and this is in polite expressions when we talk to people. There are four situations you need to know about. The first is making suggestions. For this purpose, we use ‘could’. Here are some examples: We could try that new Italian restaurant tonight. You could ask your sister to lend you some money. In the first sentence, I’m making a suggestion about where we can have dinner. In the second, I’m suggesting that if you need money, why don’t you ask your sister? Using ‘could’ just makes it very polite. The second situation is making requests. Here, both ‘can’ and ‘could’ are possible: Can you pass me the salt? Could you pass me the salt, please? Or on the phone: Can I speak to Rahul? Could I speak to Rahul, please? Did you notice that I said ‘please’ at the end of the sentences with ‘could’? That’s because ‘could’ is more polite than ‘can’. So if you are in a formal situation, like if you’re talking to your boss or other superior and you want to be very polite, use ‘could’. If you’re with friends or family, then ‘can’ is fine. Our next function is making offers: Can I get you something to drink? Could I get you something to drink, sir? Can I help you with that? Could I help you with that, madam? Again, notice the extra politeness with ‘could’. Finally, the last conversational situation is when we want to ask for permission. Here are some sentences: Can I borrow your pen? Could I borrow your pen, please? Can I take the day off tomorrow? Could I take the day off tomorrow? If you’re very friendly with your boss at work, you would use ‘can’, but if your boss is very strict, then you would use ‘could’.

[poojagrover]

In my opinion this is the no. 1 channel on YouTube to learn English grammar.... Your teaching style is splendid and the way you give explanation is awesome sir.... Thanks a ton... for uploading these videos on YouTube...

[princesahota]

I was expecting a typical Indian accent but his accent and way of speaking is amazing.

[katrinaaugustinu]

Sir, thank you. You were born to teach. Amazing.

[iammrcn]

This has given the clear difference between Can and Could. Thank you for making such videos. Which are really stuffed.

[chidanandadatta]

I surprised to see my self getting them all correct, you videos are really helpful, thanks a lot.

[rajkiran]

You taught everything in just few minutes.thank you sir

[Atilioam]

Always an excellent lesson. great teacher.

[soulbchan]

you're the best in explaining the use of can and could. I've looked into youtube and google for that in return I was more confused, I fully understood now. Thank you!

[ameerhamza]

Sir, i am student of Competitive exam, i highly appreciate your teaching method..wish you best of luck.

[deekae]

Hi Ganesh! This video really helped me to talk more politely and I can feel that my English is improving day by day, since I have started following your videos recently. Thank you very much for your videos on English.

[keishamapalad]

Thanks, I've been confused my whole life until I watched this. Cheers to more teaching and learning for us! Watching from the Philippines. ❤️

[sagarneupane]

I have seen a lot of videos in learning English but i don't find any tutorial better than yours. Your way of clarifying is outstanding.

[gauravchoraria]

7 are correct out of 8


It is a very interesting lesson.I enjoyed it thank you for aploading this video

[vasanthkumarmbshriramjaira]

Before watching your video I am very confused about the tense clasd, but now I am clarify to myself, I read so many novels such as Sydney Sheldon novels and RK Narayan but I don't know the proper English, I could only understand the theam of the novel but today if I am read anything whether it is a newspaper or anything I can observe how to use their grammar which culd very helpful to me.
So many more credits to goes to your sir.

[hemanth]

The best ever English channel that I have seen to learn English is this. A million of thanks to you sir...
Out of eight eight are correct...
Could you do more videos like this sir...

[Haider.]

perfect i can get away from this can n could confusion

[uzmaparveen]

U r the best teacher ever .. ihave clear my all doubt... Thanku i got total 8 answers correct .. million of thanks to u sir💞

[prabhatsharma]

Thank you sir for explaining in such a easy and wonderful way More power to you man

[srikantmohanty]

No more doubts in can and could . 😌 I really enjoy your teaching. You're an amazing teacher ❤

[omto.m]

Could you please make a video on could would and should.