Introduction - "can"

• to describe ability
  • "Clara can speak French very well."
• to ask for, give or refuse permission
  • "They can finish the report next week."
• to make requests
  • "Can we rearrange the meeting?"
• to make suggestions
  • "We can go to the cinema if you like."

Form - "can"

Practice

Introduction - "could"

• as the past tense of "can"
  • "I could speak Spanish well when I was at school."
  • "They couldn’t eat at the restaurant because they didn’t book first."
  • "Could you see the moon last night?"
  
  
• for possibilities and options
  "I could take Spanish lessons, or I could go to Spain."
  
  
• to make polite requests.
  "Could you help carry my suitcases?"

Form - "could"

Practice

Further practice

• They ____ the sea from their hotel room .


could to see can sees could saw can see



• We ____ inside the cathedral because it was closed.


can't go couldn't go could gone can going



• ____ you ____ that noise?.


Can / heard Could / hears Can / hear Could / heard



• I ____ you last night because I went to the cinema.


couldn't call can't call couldn't called can't calls



• I ____ that box. It's too heavy.


couldn't carried could carry can't carry can't carries



• ____ they ____ many languages when they were children.


Can / speak Could / spoke Can / speak Could / speak