The Usage of Can and Could: What can you couldn’t?

Firstly, ‘could’ is the past tense of ‘can’. So, can and could are mainly used in present and past tenses respectively. Getting this solves about 60% of the can/could dilemma -;

I can speak French fluently

I could sing well but not anymore

They can bring her to you right now

He could have learnt how to dance.

These examples are clear cut sentences in present and past tenses.

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Secondly, can and could are used for future tenses and this is where the large chunk of the confusion emanates from. Can is given preference when the future occurrence is more likely while could takes the mantle when the future occurrence is possible but not certain -;

I can help with your assignment

{=more likely I help with your assignment}

She can miss her way here

{=people often miss their way here}

He could be home by 5pm

{=he may be home by that time but I ain’t too sure}

You could excel at Harvard

{=Maybe but you no too sabi book}.

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Thirdly, in future tenses, can takes precedence when you give permission -;

You can take your leave

You can use my laptop if you wish

You can have Sharon as your bride.

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Last but not the least, can and could are used when you make a request in form of a question -;

Can I trust you?

Could you come please?

Can I use your restroom?

However, some grammarians argue ‘could’ is more polite in these instances but we the kuruntus disagree. The ‘Englishists’ may shove their politeness up their gluteal maxima.

TheEnd

#ghost writer#