Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Language / Grammar /Difference Between Can and Could

Difference Between Can and Could

April 24, 2011Posted bykoshal

Can vs Could

Though as a couple of best known modal verbs in the English language can and could are recognized by many users it is necessary to remember that there exists a difference between can and could. These are auxiliary verbs that are used with the mainverb, whose uses in grammar are often confused with. Can is in the present tense while could is in the past tense. In other words, could is the past tense of can. Therefore, basically they carry similar meanings. However, these two, can and could, are used in many ways. A small difference between can and could be pointed as can having a meaning as anountoo while could only has a use as a verb.

What does Can mean?

Can in the present tense is used to state a fact and declare ability. When used in a sentence, the word can state the fact that someone has the ability, or he knows how to do a thing and that he has the skill to do it. Can is also used to express possibility and things that can be done potentially. Can is also used to request someone to do something. Look at the following examples.

She can run fast.(Ability)

They can take the dog with them if they want.(Express possibility)

Can you call me in the afternoon?(Request)

Difference Between Can and Could

What does Could mean?

Could is used as a past tense of can to state an ability in the past or the things one was able to do in past but not anymore. In addition to that, could express possibility as well but the time is just stated in the past. The word could is also used to state condition as is the following sentence.

If I had money, I could buy you a car.

Could is also used in making suggestions and polite requests.

Could you pass me the salt, please?

What is the difference between Can and Could?

Both can and could are used in imperative expressions usually in question form. They are used to make requests or permissions, but the use of could suggests a more polite mood. Example of this usage is this sentence following sentence.

Can I leave now? Could you get me a glass of water?

此外,使用可以显示窦bt and uncertainty. This means that when the word could is used in a sentence the meaning may suggest that the information being expressed is maybe true or not. Can may express that a person is able to do, while could about 50% possibility that it will be done.

Can and could sometimes are very confusing, however, given the pointers above, you can get passed the confusion because simply you can.

Summary:

Can vs Could

• Can is used to state a fact, ability, potential, and possibility.

• Could is used to state a past ability, condition, and possibility.

• Can and could are used to ask for permissions, make requests or commands.

• Could suggests a polite manner when making a request and it suggests a level of doubt or certainty.

Images Courtesy:

  1. A Smile Is The Prettiest Thing You Can Wearbyseaternity(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Related posts:

Difference Between Could and Would in English GrammarDifference Between Could and Would in English Grammar Difference Between Can and MayDifference Between Can and May Difference Between Awhile and WhileDifference Between Awhile and While Difference Between Then and Than in English GrammarDifference Between Then and Than in English Grammar Difference Between Brackets and Parentheses

Filed Under:GrammarTagged With:auxiliary modals,Can,can and could,can definition,can meaning,can means,could,could definition,could meaning,could means

About the Author:koshal

Koshal is a graduate in Language Studies with a Master's Degree in Linguistics

Comments

  1. UK Cloud hosting Servicessays

    April 24, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    Thank you so much for explaining difference between both the terms.

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Authentication and Authorisation

Difference Between Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Difference Between Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Difference Between Motorola Xoom and Galaxy Tab 8.9

Difference Between Gold ETF and Gold Fund

Difference Between Social Networking and Professional Networking

Difference Between Social Networking and Professional Networking

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Aquagenic Urticaria and Aquagenic Pruritus
  • What is the Difference Between Astringent and Toner
  • What is the Difference Between Esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus
  • What is the Difference Between Alcohol Ink and Resin Dye
  • What is the Difference Between Hyperparathyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
  • What is the Difference Between Pearlescent and Iridescent
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018Difference Between. All rights reserved.Terms of Useand Privacy Policy:Legal.