Unit 25. can and could

He can play the piano.

can + infinitive (can do / can play / can come etc.):

positive and negative

I/ we/ you/ they
he/ she/ it

can
can't (cannot)

do
play
come
see

question

can

I/ we/ you/ they
he/ she/ it

do?
play?
come?
see?

I can do something. = I know how to do it or it is possible for me to do it:
- I can play the piano. My brother can play the piano too.
- Ann can speak Italian but she can't speak Spanish.
- "Can you swim?" "Yes, but not very well."
- "Can you change twenty pounds?" "I'm sorry I can't."
- Bill and Jenny can't come to the party next week.

In the past (yesterday / last week etc.):

can (do)
can't (do)

→

could (do)
couldn't (do)

- When I was young, I could run very fast.
- Before she came to Britain, she couldn't speak English. Now she can speak English very well.
- I was tired last night but I couldn't sleep.
- Bill and Jenny couldn't come to the party last week.

We use Can you … ? or Could you … ? when we ask people to do things:
- "Can (or Could) you open the door, please?" "Yes, sure."
- Can (or Could) you tell me the time, please?

We use Can I … ? when we ask if it is okay to do something:
- "Tom, can I take your umbrella?" "Yes, of course."
- (on the phone) Hello. Can I speak to Gary, please?

We use Can I have … ? to ask for something:
- (in a shop) Can I have these postcards, please?

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