English Grammar Guide


Modals for Possibility: can/could


Usage - can/could

We use can and the infinitive for abilities and to say something is possible or permitted.

  • Abilities
  • Possibilities
  • Permissions

Grammar - can/could

The negative of can is can't.

The past of can is could.

The negative of could is couldn't.

  • can + INFINITIVE
  • I can swim.
  • cannot → can't
  • He can't drive.
  • Past simple: can → could
  • You could go last year.
  • could not → couldn't
  • People couldn't fly 200 years ago.

Examples - can

SUBJ.canINF....
Icanswim500m.
Youcangeta 30 day visa.
Hecandrivewell.
Shecantake20 days off a year.
Wecanmeetat 3.
Theycanplayoutside.

Examples - can't

SUBJ.can'tINF....
Ican'tswimwell.
Youcan'tgeta 2 year visa.
Hecan'tdrivewell.
Shecan'ttake6 months off a year.
Wecan'tmeetat 3.
Theycan'tplayin the street.

Examples - could

SUBJ.couldINF....TIME PHRASE
Icouldswim50mlast year.
Youcouldbuythem5 years ago.
Hecouldsingityesterday.
Shecouldrun10kmlast year.
Wecouldseeityesterday.
Theycouldplayhere50 years ago.

Examples - couldn't

SUBJ.couldn'tINF....TIME PHRASE
Icouldn'tswimwellbefore.
Youcouldn'tbuythemlast year.
Hecouldn'tsingitlast week.
Shecouldn'trelaxat alllast month.
Wecouldn'tseeityesterday.
Theycouldn'tbuyphones200 years ago.

Grammar - CAN: Closed Questions ➤ Yes/No

Can and could come before the subject in questions.

With closed questions (for the responses: yes and no), we use the verb can for short answers.

  • Can/Could + SUBJECT + INFINITIVE ... ?
  • Yes, + SUBJECT + can.
  • No, + SUBJECT + can't.
  • Yes, + SUBJECT + could.
  • No, + SUBJECT + couldn't.

Examples - CAN: Closed Questions ➤ Yes/No

CANS.... Y/NS.CAN
Canyouswim well?➤ Yes,Ican.
Canyousing well?➤ No,Ican't.
Couldyouhelp earlier?➤ Yes,Icould.
Couldyougo earlier?➤ No,Icouldn't.
Symbols & Abbreviations
INF.Infinitive
N.Noun
S.Subject
SUBJ.Subject

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See Also

01) Be in the Present Simple Tense: am/are/is

02) The Present Simple Tense: Verb Forms

03) Commands and Advice: The Imperative

04) Modals for Suggestions and Advice: Should

05) Modals for Orders & Commands: must/mustn't

06) Obligation: have to

07) Offers

08) Polite Offers and Requests: would like




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