In statements, we use “can ‘t” for present tense , and “couldn't” for past tense. Examples, “I can't help you right now.” “He can't come to the phone.” “We couldn't finish all the food.” “She couldn't find the stapler.” So, “can't” is used to refer to impossible things in the present.
What is the difference between can and could?
Can, like could and would, is used to ask a polite question, but can is only used to ask permission to do or say something (“Can I borrow your car?” “Can I get you something to drink?”). Could is the past tense of can, but it also has uses apart from that — and that is where the confusion lies.
Can not and could not difference?
In statements, we use “can't” for present tense, and “ couldn ‘t” for past tense. ... “Couldn't” is used to refer to impossible things in the past. So, we cannot use them interchangeably. So, present tense, “can't,” past tense, “couldn't.”
When use could and can?
- He said, ‘ I can lift this box. ...
- He said that he could lift that box.
- She said, ‘I can't see anything.
Can I use could for future?
The use of ‘could', ‘would', or ‘will be' all imply future tense . The past tense version would be: “You could not have made me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could have made you so.”
Can and could sentences examples?
- They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.) ...
- It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) ...
- That can't be true. ...
- It's ten o'clock. ...
- It could be very cold there in winter. ...
- They know the way here. ...
- She can speak several languages. ...
- I can see you.
Can we use can and able together?
This may be common in Indian English. However, it's certainly not accepted as Standard English because, as you say, can and be able to have the same meaning. Because able to isn't a verb but part of an adjectival phrase, it requires a verb; but as it's adjectival that verb is be, not can .
Can you vs Will you?
May implies that you are asking for permission. Can implies that you are questioning somebody's ability. Will implies that you are seeking an answer about the future .
How do you use would could should?
Just remember that could is used to talk about something that can happen , would is used to talk about something that will happen in an imagined situation, and should is used to talk about something that ought to happen or must happen. I hope this helps.
Would is past or future?
Would is a past-tense form of will . If you are writing about past events, you can use it to indicate something that was in the future at that point in time, but is not necessarily in the future right now. In other words, you use would to preserve the future aspect when talking about the past.
Can past Present future?
Can is a modal verb and modal verbs have only two forms, present tense and past tense. As there is no infinitive, they can't form future tense , and as there is no past participle they can't form perfect forms.
Can or could you please?
1 Answer. If taken literally, “Can you” is equivalent to asking the person if they're capable of doing something. “Could you”, on the other hand, implies that the action can be completed under some circumstances by the person. The usage of can you is idiomatic, and hence, is more popular used phrase of the two.
Can permission sentences?
| asking for permission formal/polite? giving permission | Can I ask you a question? informal Yes, you can. Yes, you may. Yes, you could. | Could I use your phone? more formal/polite | May I use your phone? even more formal/polite |
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Could you please can you please?
Both are correct. The first is more direct, and the second is more polite. Could you please . . . gives slightly more room for refusal than Can you please . . .
Can able is it correct?
This may be common in Indian English. However, it's certainly not accepted as Standard English because, as you say, can and be able to have the same meaning . Because able to isn't a verb but part of an adjectival phrase, it requires a verb; but as it's adjectival that verb is be, not can.
Is it correct to say can be able?
Can, could, and be able to are all used to talk about a person's ability to do something . You use can or be able to to talk about ability in the present. Be able to is more formal than can. You can all read and write.
