Can vs. Could
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Can and Could is that ‘Can’ is used to express the ability of a person to do something in the present, whereas ‘Could’ express the ability of a person to do something in the past.
Difference Between Can and Could
Can vs. Could
'Can' is used to express the ability of a person to do something in the present, whereas 'Could' express the ability of a person to do something in the past.
Can vs. Could
'Can' have less formal use; on the other hand, 'Could' have a more formal use.
Can vs. Could
'Can' is a present ability; conversely, 'Could' is a past ability.
Can vs. Could
'Can' is pronounced as kan/kən, contrarily 'Could' is pronounced as kəd/kʊ.
Can vs. Could
'Can' convey a less polite meaning; on the contrary, 'Could' give a more polite meaning.
Can vs. Could
'Can' gives the meaning of ‘to be able to do something,’ on the other side 'Could' give the meaning of ‘was able to do something.’
Can vs. Could
'Can' is used to make general statements to show the possibility, on the converse 'Could' is used to show when something is possible but not certain.
Can vs. Could
'Can' convey a specific idea, inversely 'Could' convey a vague idea.
Canverb
To know how to; to be able to.
She can speak English, French, and German.I can play football.Can you remember your fifth birthday?Couldverb
conditional of can
Canverb
May; to be permitted or enabled to.
You can go outside and play when you're finished with your homework.Can I use your pen?Couldverb
Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).
I think he could do it if he really wanted to.I wish I could fly!Canverb
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have the potential to; be possible.
Can it be Friday already?Teenagers can really try their parents' patience.Animals can experience emotions.Couldverb
Used to politely ask for permission to do something.
Could I borrow your coat?Canverb
(auxiliary verb, defective) Used with verbs of perception.
Couldverb
Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.
Could you proofread this email?Canverb
To seal in a can.
They canned air to sell as a novelty to tourists.Couldverb
Used to show the possibility that something might happen.
We could rearrange the time if you like.Canverb
To preserve by heating and sealing in a jar or can.
They spent August canning fruit and vegetables.Couldverb
Used to suggest something.
You could try adding more salt to the soup.Canverb
To discard, scrap or terminate (an idea, project, etc.).
He canned the whole project because he thought it would fail.Couldnoun
Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.
Canverb
To shut up.
Can your gob.Canverb
To fire or dismiss an employee.
The boss canned him for speaking out.Cannoun
A more or less cylindrical vessel for liquids, usually of steel or aluminium, but sometimes of plastic, and with a carrying handle over the top.
Cannoun
A container used to carry and dispense water for plants (a watering can).
Cannoun
A tin-plate canister, often cylindrical, for preserved foods such as fruit, meat, or fish.
Cannoun
A chamber pot, now a toilet or lavatory.
Shit or get off the can.Bob's in the can. You can wait a few minutes or just leave it with me.Cannoun
Buttocks.
Cannoun
(slang) Jail or prison.
Bob's in the can. He won't be back for a few years.Cannoun
Headphones.
Cannoun
(archaic) A drinking cup.
Cannoun
(nautical) A cube-shaped buoy or marker used to denote a port-side lateral mark
Cannoun
A chimney pot.
Cannoun
airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.
Cannoun
the quantity contained in a can
Cannoun
a buoy with a round bottom and conical top
Cannoun
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
he deserves a good kick in the buttare you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?Cannoun
a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
Cannoun
a room equipped with toilet facilities
Canverb
preserve in a can or tin;
tinned foods are not very tastyCanverb
terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary todayThe company terminated 25% of its workersComparison Chart
| Can | Could |
| Express the ability of a person to do something in the present | Express the ability of a person to do something in the past |
| Pronunciation | |
| kan/kən | kəd/kʊd |
| Conveys | |
| Certain idea | Vague idea |
| Use | |
| Less formal | More formal |
| Sounds | |
| Less polite | More polite |
| Possibility | |
| Present | Past |
| Letters | |
| Three | Five |
Can vs. Could
The word ‘Can’ is another form of the word ‘Could.’ ‘Could’ is also known to be a form of the word ‘Can.’ ‘Can’ is used to express the ability of a person to do something in the present. ‘Could’ express the ability of a person to do something in the past. ‘Can’ is a present ability. ‘Could’ is a past ability. ‘Can’ gives the meaning of ‘to be able to do something.’ It can also replace with ‘be able to’ in some cases. For example, if a person says that he can sing, it means that he can sing. But if we replace this ‘Can’ with its counterpart ‘Could,’ then the sentence will convey a different meaning. ‘I could sing’ means that the person was able to sing earlier, but now he cannot for some reason, i.e., he lost his voice.
‘Can’ is used to make comprehensive affirmations to show the possibility, e.g., It can be very hot here in summer. This sentence is conveying that the chances of the hottest summer are frequent in that area. ‘Could’ is used to show when something is possible but not sure, e.g., They could go to the market. This sentence is reflecting a vague idea that maybe they will go to the market or maybe not. Hence, ‘Can’ convey a specific idea while ‘Could’ convey a vague idea.
‘Can’ sound less polite, and it is used in a less formal situation, while if a person is in a more formal situation, he/she uses ‘Could’ to make offers, requests, or to give suggestions. ‘Can’ is pronounced as kan/kən. ‘Could’ is pronounced as kəd/kʊd.
What is Can?
‘Can’ is used to ask for permission, e.g., Can I take your pencil? In the same way, it also used yo grant permission like “You can take my pencil.” In the context of authority, ‘Can’ refers that someone who has permission to do something, e.g., You can hang out with my friends. There is always a negative statement with ‘Can’ where there is a positive statement. So ‘Can’ also refer to if someone does not have permission to do something, e.g., You can not hang out with your friends.
‘Can’ is used to express the ability of a person to do something in the present. ‘Can’ gives the meaning of ‘to be able to do something.’ It can also replace with ‘be able to’ in some cases. ‘Can’ is used to make general statements to show the possibility.
‘Can’ sound less polite, and it used in a less formal situation, and it pronounced as kan/kən. ‘Can’ also express some possibility, e.g., The intake of alcohol can damage your lungs. There are some other meanings of the word ‘Can’ too. ‘Can’ is a sort of small cylindrical shaped container usually made of metal. The word ‘Can’ is also a verb (auxiliary verb) meaning to stop something, to put something in a container, or to fire someone from a job.
Examples
- I can do it alone.
- You can do it!
- Smoking can damage your lungs.
- You can achieve your dream if you work hard.
What is Could?
‘Could’ is a modal verb. It is the past participle form of the verb that used with the main verb. ‘Could’ express the ability of a person to do something in the past. ‘I could sing’ means that the person was able to sing earlier, but now he cannot for some reason, i.e., he lost his voice. ‘Could’ is used to show when something is possible but not sure.
‘Could’ is used in a more formal situation. It is more precise than its counterpart ‘Can.’ For instance, Could I go home, please? ‘Could’ is pronounced as kəd/kʊd. The phrase could you is used as a polite way of asking someone to do something, e.g., Could I have my file back? ‘Could’ also make an offer like I could do your homework. We use ‘Could’ to make a request, e.g., Could you tell me it’s the recipe? It gives the meaning of suggestion or advice, e.g. You could go to London for higher studies.
Furthermore, ‘Coul’d is used when someone is imagining or fantasizing a thing, e.g., I wish I could meet a real mermaid. ‘Could’ is used in conditional sentences as ‘the doctors could save him if they have brought him to the hospital on time.’ Could express possibility from the past, e.g., You could have done it on time if you have tried.
Examples
- Could I use your pen?
- He could not go to the party because he is sick.
- We could watch a movie if you want to.
- I asked you to walk slowly. You could have slipped.
ConclusionCan and Could are the two modal verbs with a different context. Their difference lies in their usage. Can and Could express distinct moods.
