english modals
2006-10-07 00:00:32 · 10 answers · asked by az gh 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/can.html
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals_can_quiz.htm
2006-10-07 00:08:48 · answer #1 · answered by nice guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both "can" and "could" are modal auxiliary verbs, the words markers English uses to indicate situations or actions outside of current or historic reality -- i.e., the present and the past. Both address the subject's ability to carry out an action. Other modal auxiliaries include "will"/"would" (intent), "shall"/"should" (intent/necessity), "may"/"might" (permission), and "must" (obligation). In each pair, the former is technically present tense, the latter the past: today I can take a nap, but yesterday I could not. (There also used to be a "mote," the present-tense alternative to the past-tense "must," but it fell out of use centuries ago, and "must" took on both roles.)
2006-10-07 07:36:03 · answer #2 · answered by tusitala9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can involves certainity ... could shows uncertainity and also means dependence on some other event ...
I can ride a bike - certain
I could ride a bike - uncertain, depends on some other event like owning a bike on the first place or knowing how to ride a bike ...
:)
2006-10-07 07:04:22 · answer #3 · answered by Yash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can is like i know how to, i am able to where as could is might possible well, or may perhaps. Kinda similar with different terms.
2006-10-07 07:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by sugar21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"can" is present tense and implies the ability to do in the immediate. "could" implies the ability to do IF the subject is willing.
2006-10-07 07:11:15 · answer #5 · answered by Preacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You use "could" when considering options--- "i could buy this TV, but I also could buy this new dishwasher... i dont' know what to do - i have enough money so i CAN buy something..." can implies abilitiy...
2006-10-07 07:04:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we use can in the present to express that we are apple to do this thing now
but we use could in the past to express that we r to late and we are not apple to do this thing now
2006-10-07 07:10:44 · answer #7 · answered by seven_heaven 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can is present tense
Could is past tense
2006-10-07 07:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by Mike J 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
One is unconditional one is conditional.
2006-10-07 07:09:01 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"can" is definate, "could" is possible
2006-10-07 07:18:13 · answer #10 · answered by mizbritt17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋