Can and could
- 2. Can and could are modal verbs.Theyformsentenceslikethis:“Could” isthepastform of “can”.
- 3. We use “Can” toexpressabilities in thepresent. Thethingssomeone can orknowshowto do.Forexample:“She can playthe piano”Sheknowshowtoplayor has theabilitytoplaythe piano.
- 4. We use “Could” toexpressabilities in thepast. Thethingssomeonecouldorknewhowto do in thepast.Forexample:“Shecouldn’tplaythe piano lastyear”Shedidn’tknowhowtoplayordidn’thavetheabilitytoplaythe piano lastyear. Nowshe can.
- 5. Thisis OliverHe is 17 yearsoldHe lives in LondonHe can playthe guitar, but he can’tplaythe piano.He can speakSpanish, but he can’tspeakRussian.Can he playfootball? Yes, he can playverywell.
- 6. Thisis Oliver againHe was 4 yearsoldthenHe lived in CardiffHe couldn’tplaythe guitar, but he couldswim.He couldn’tspeakSpanish, but he couldspeakEnglish.Could he playfootball? No, he couldn’t. But he couldride a bicycle.
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