Introduction - "can"

We use "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"

We use "can" + infinitive of the main verb (without "to").

positive	I You We They She / He / It	can	run	very fast.
negative		can't cannot

question	Can	I you we they he / she / it	run	very fast?
answer	Yes,		can.
	No,		can't. cannot.

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Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "can" and the verb in brackets:

• They my car this week. (not repair)
   
• You my pen. (borrow)
   
• you Russian? (speak)
   
• We the bus. It's cheaper than the train. (take)
   

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Introduction - "could"

We use "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"

We use "could" + infinitive of the main verb (without "to").

positive	I You We They She / He / It	could	buy	the tickets.
negative		couldn't could not

question	Could	I you we they he / she / it	buy	the tickets?
answer	Yes,		could.
	No,		couldn't.

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Practice

Complete the sentences using the correct form of "could" and the verb in brackets:

• We to France next year. (go)
   
• you the bag upstairs, please? (take)
   
• I looked for the keys but I them. (not find)
   
• I very well when I was a child. (swim)
   

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Further practice

Complete the sentences with the correct answer from a, b, c or d:

• 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

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