Can and Could: 10 Example Sentences
Can and could are two commonly used auxiliary verbs in English grammar. Can is used to express ability, permission, or possibility, while could is used to express past ability, permission, or possibility. Here are 10 example sentences to help you understand the usage of can and could:
1. Ability: Present and Past
- I can speak three languages. (I have the ability to speak three languages.)
- I could speak French fluently when I was a student. (I had the ability to speak French fluently when I was a student.)
2. Permission: Present and Past
- You can use my car whenever you want. (You have my permission to use my car.)
- I could stay out late when I was in college. (I had permission to stay out late when I was in college.)
3. Possibility: Present and Past
- It can rain tomorrow. (It is possible that it will rain tomorrow.)
- It could have snowed last winter. (It was possible that it snowed last winter, but it didn't.)
4. Ability: Future
- I will be able to speak Japanese by the end of the year. (I will have the ability to speak Japanese.)
- She will be able to swim by herself soon. (She will have the ability to swim by herself soon.)
5. Request
- Can you help me lift this box? (I'm asking for your help.)
- Could you pass me the salt, please? (I'm making a polite request.)
6. Suggestion
- We can go to the movies tonight. (I'm suggesting we go to the movies.)
- We could have gone to the beach yesterday. (It was possible for us to go to the beach yesterday, but we didn't.)
7. Obligation
- You can't enter this room. (You are not allowed to enter this room.)
- I couldn't attend the meeting yesterday. (I was not allowed to attend the meeting yesterday.)
8. Uncertainty
- I can be there by 5 o'clock. (I'm not sure, but I might be able to be there by 5 o'clock.)
- I could have gone to the party, but I didn't. (I had the possibility of going to the party, but I didn't.)
9. Empathy
- I can imagine how you feel. (I can understand how you feel.)
- I could understand why she was upset. (I was able to understand why she was upset.)
10. Advice
- You can try again if you want. (I'm giving you advice to try again.)
- I could have told you that yesterday. (I wish I had given you that advice yesterday.)
By studying these example sentences, you can gain a better understanding of how to use can and could in different contexts. Remember to practice, practice, practice to improve your English skills!
