Can vs. Could: Understand the Difference
‘Could’ and ‘can’ are both auxiliary (helper) and modal verbs. They are used to communicate:
Possibility
Ability
Permission
People often use can and could in similar ways, even though the words have slightly different meanings. Read on to explore how to use these two words the right way.
Can vs Could: What’s the difference?
There are two main differences to think about when you’re trying to work out whether ‘could’ or ‘can’ is the correct verb:
Tense (is this happening now, in the past or in the future?)
Likelihood (is there a high or low chance that this will happen?)
Can
‘Can’ is a present tense verb which is used to discuss:
A person's ability to do something now
A future action which is very likely to happen
A more informal permission request
Granting permission
Could
‘Could’ is a past tense verb which is used to discuss:
A person's ability to do something in the past
A future action which is less likely (may or may not happen)
A more formal permission request
Can vs Could: How to use them in a sentence
Which of these verbs you should use in a sentence will depend on the idea or action you are talking about.
Can vs Could: Communicating possibility
Use ‘can’ if there is a high possibility that something will happen:
“Spilled water can damage your computer”
“A flipped coin can land on heads or tails”
Use ‘could’ if there is a chance that something may happen, but it is less likely:
“My team could win the championship next year”
“It could be sunny next Saturday”
Can vs Could: Communicating ability
Use ‘can’ if you are talking about a person's ability to do something in the present:
“I can run very fast”
“She can speak Spanish very well”
Use ‘could’ if you are discussing someone’s ability to do something in the past:
“I could run very fast when I was a child”
“She could speak Spanish when she was ten”
Can vs Could: Communicating permission
You can ask for permission using both ‘can’ or ‘could’:
Can I borrow that book?
Could I borrow that book?
‘Could’ is considered more formal than ‘can’ when asking for permission and is more likely to be used in professional settings.
You may also use ‘can’ to give permission:
Yes, you can borrow this book.
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Preparing for IELTS
Taking the IELTS is an important step in your migration journey and it’s important to be prepared. When you take the IELTS, you will be scored on four key English comprehension skills:
Your band score for each of these skills will be used to calculate your overall IELTS score.
What IELTS score do I need to achieve?
The minimum IELTS score you need to achieve will depend on the visa, university or job you are applying for, as they may each have different eligibility requirements.
Organisations that trust and recognise IELTS
What study materials are available for IELTS test-takers?
When you take the IELTS, you are not alone. There are many study resources available to help test-takers prepare for the big day.
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Why take an IELTS practice test?
Practice tests allow you to experience the type of questions you may be asked during your official IELTS exam. A practice test can help you understand which skills you have a good understanding of and which skills you may need to study more. Being familiar with the test formats can also help you to feel more comfortable on test day.
How can videos and webinars help me study?
The IELTS YouTube channel is home to hundreds of informative videos designed to help test-takers succeed. Explore webinars and short videos which provide study tips, testimonials, scoring information and more.
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An example Task 2 Writing essay prompt
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