Questions with could. Rules for the use of modal verbs can and could

Modal verb can(can) and its form could(could) is the most common modal verb in English. We use it to show that we can do something. In this article, we will get acquainted with all the features of the modal verb can (could).

The first thing to remember after can or could there must be another verb. After all, by itself can does not inform about the action, but only shows our attitude towards it: "I can do some action." And after that “can” it is necessary to add “what can I do?”: can dance(I can dance) can sing(I can sing), etc.

And the second thing that should not be forgotten, after can we don't put to: can speak English. We are used to the fact that two verbs in English should be connected with each other using to: decide to drink coffee(decide to drink coffee) or offer to go for a walk(suggest to go for a walk). But modal can works without to.

We noted that this modal verb has two forms: can And could. We use these forms with any subject in both singular and plural.

My friend can speak Japanese. - My friend knows how speak Japanese.

My friends can dance salsa. - My friends can dance salsa.

What's the difference between can And could? Can is used when someone is currently able to do something, and could- when someone knew how to do something in the past, now, most likely, they no longer know how.

He can swim. - He can swim.

He could swim. - He was able swim.

How to build a sentence with can (could)

In the table we will clearly show how to use can in different types of offers.

And in the question, as expected, the word order will be slightly different.

Let's take a look at some of the features can:

• Can (could) is always between the subject and the predicate.
• To ask questions, we'll just reschedule can And could in the first place, nothing else needs to be added.
• In denial a particle not joins can (could), forming the shape cannot (could not). In colloquial speech, we usually cannot shorten to can't (couldn't). By the way, cannot is the only modal that merges with the particle not when writing. Do you know how to pronounce correctly can't: /kɑːnt/ or / kænt/? There is a British pronunciation - / /. And teacher Ronnie will teach you American pronunciation in his video.

What does the modal verb can (could) mean?

The easiest way to understand the meaning can (could) on examples. We express with can:

1. The mental or physical ability to do something.

   In this case can (could) is usually translated as "to be able", "to be able".

   I can't speak to you now but I can call you in the evening. – I can't talk to you now, but I can call you in the evening.

   He could speak French. – He could speak French.

   Can you drive a car? - Can you drive a car?

2. Common Statements

We use can when we want to show that some statement is true in most cases. Here we translate can like "may".

The vacuum can frighten your cat. The vacuum cleaner can scare your cat. (as a rule, cats are afraid of vacuum cleaners, but not all)

In New York it can be difficult to rent an apartment. It can be difficult to rent an apartment in New York.

Flowers can grow faster if they get a lot of sunshine. Flowers can grow faster if they get a lot of sunlight.

It should be noted that we do not use the form could to express this value.

3. Permission, request, prohibition.

   There are several patterns here: a request is usually conveyed with a question, permission with an affirmation, and a ban with a denial. If we see a request or permission in a sentence, then we translate can the verb "to be able", the prohibition is most often translated by the word "impossible".

   Can I take your car for the weekend? Can I borrow your car for the weekend? (request)
   – Yes, you can. - Yes you can. (permission)
   – But you can't exceed the speed limit. “But you can't go over the speed limit. (ban)

   We can make a request using can And could. Both options are often used in speech, only such requests differ in the degree of politeness. Let's look at examples:

   Can you tell me where the nearest bus station is? – Can you tell me where the nearest bus stop is? (this treatment is more typical if you communicate with a person of your same age)

   Could you tell me where the nearest bus stop is? – Could you tell me where the nearest bus stop is? (this is a more polite question, more often the British will use this option to be as polite and courteous as possible in a conversation)

   With help can we can not only ask for permission, but also offer something ourselves. To do this, we use the question form.

   Can I offer you a cup of tea? – May I offer you a cup of tea?

   Can I help you choose a dress for the party? Can I help you choose a dress for the party?

   Watch an interesting video from the teacher Alex in which he, to the already known to us can And could, added a verb May.

   • You can also learn about the features of the modal verb may in the article "".
4. Surprise, doubt, disbelief.

   This function also has its own patterns: doubt and distrust are usually found in negative sentences, and surprise in interrogative ones. The verb is translated can (could) in such cases, the words “really”, “cannot be”, “hardly”, “can’t believe”, “possibly”, “probably”.

   Can these shoes cost so much money? Are these shoes really worth that much? (astonishment)

   He can't work all day round. It can't be that he works around the clock. (mistrust)

   Do you know that could is the past tense form can. But if we want to express doubt in the past, we use the form can't have.

   He can't have fallen asleep at the meeting. “It can't be that he fell asleep during the meeting.

   They can't have missed the last bus. I can't believe they missed the last bus.

   If someone violated the ban or disobeyed the advice, then you can reproach him for this, using the same verb can. There is, however, one peculiarity: such sentences are built in the form of a negative question.

   Can't you just stop telling silly jokes to the guests? Can you just stop telling stupid jokes to guests?

   Can't you get along with her friends? - Can't you communicate normally with her friends?

Set expressions with the verb can (could)

Can (could) occurs in some established expressions. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Can't (couldn't) but do something– there was nothing left but.
   

   I couldn't but agree with him. I had no choice but to agree with him.

2. Couldn't help doing something- could not resist to; could not.
   

   I couldn't help laughing. - I couldn't help laughing.

3. Can't stand something/somebody I can't stand something/someone.
   

   I can't stand him. - I can't stand him.

To make sure the modal verb can (could) you remember well, take the test and keep our handy sign for yourself.

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The use of the modal verb can (could)

What do you know about the modal verb can (could)? Many are aware of only one of its meanings - to be able / to be able to do something. In this article, we will explain when can (could) and the synonymous construction to be able to do smth are used.

Features of the modal verb can

Modal verbs do not express the action, but the attitude of the speaker or his assessment of this action. They are used only in combination with main verbs.

Today we will consider the most common modal verb in English - can. It is used in two forms: can for the present tense and could for the past tense.

After the verbs can and could, the infinitive is always used without the particle to (can do, could take). Can and could do not change in person or number, nor do they need auxiliary verbs.

I can teach you play the cello. - I I can teach you to play the cello.

To form a negative form, add the particle not - can't or cannot to the verb can. Could in the negative form - couldn't or could not.

I can't teach you play the cello. - I can't teach you to play the cello.

When forming a question, can and could are placed at the beginning of the sentence before the subject, followed by the main verb:

Can you teach me play the cello? - Can you teach me to play the cello?

Can (could) is a multifunctional verb, it can be used in many situations. In the table below, we have presented the main functions of the verbs can and could.

A synonym for can and could is the construction to be able to do smth (to be able to do something).

He will be able to answer tomorrow. - He will be able answer tomorrow.

Negative form to be able to do smth - to be unable to do smth (to be not able to do smth).

He 's unable to understand what she is asking him to do. - He can not understand what she is asking him to do.

The construction to be able to do smth is used at all times:

can and could functions in a sentence

1. The mental or physical ability to do something

   Mary can speak four foreign languages. Mary speaks four foreign languages.
   He can't even say a word in English. - He and words can not say in English.

   Margaret could ride a bike when she was 5. - When Margaret was 5 years old, she was able ride a bike.
   I couldn't speak English well at school. - At school I could not speak English well.

2. Probability and Possibility
   • We use can when the event is more likely to happen in the future, could when it is less likely.

     We can meet you at the station when you arrive. - We Can meet you at the station when you arrive.
     I could be a little late. - Maybe, I'm a little late.

   • We use can't (cannot) when something is theoretically or actually impossible.

     There can't be many people in the world who don't use smartphones. - Can not be that there are many people in the world who do not use smartphones.
     A film by this director can't be thought-provoking. - A film directed by this director, can not make you think.

   • We use the can't (couldn't) have done construct when we are sure that the action could not have happened in the past.

     She can't have locked the door because I took the only key. - Can't be so that she locked up door - I took the only key.

3. Permission and prohibition

   Can and could are used to ask permission to do something. At the same time, could sounds more formal and polite. Only can can be used in the answer to a question.

   - Can I use your dictionary?
   - No, you can't.
   - Can use your dictionary?
   - No, it is forbidden.

   - could I say something?
   - Yes, you can.
   - Can should I say something?
   - Yes, Can.

4. Request

   In this case, could is a more polite form.

   could you show me to my room, please? - Will you walk me to my room, please?
   Can you lend me your notes? - Can lend me your notes?

   It is worth noting that the construction Do you think you could... ? used only with the verb could.

   Do you think you could give me a lift? - Do you think, you can toss me?

5. An invitation and an offer to do something

   If you want to invite someone to go to the movies or invite them to take a walk in the park, you can use both can and could. Only can is used in interrogative sentences.

   We could go on a bus tour. - We we could go on a bus tour.
   We can go shopping. - We Can go shopping.
   Can I help you? - I Can to help you with something? (could not used in this case)

6. Criticism and reproach

   To criticize someone's act or reproach, only the verb could is used. In the past tense, the construction could have done something is used.

   You could ask before borrowing my stuff. - You could ask before taking my things.
   You could have warned me about his bad mood. - You could have warned me about his bad mood.

Common expressions with can and could

1. Expressions I can't (couldn't) help doing smth, I can't help but do smth

   The phrase I can't help doing smth is translated as "I can not help doing something." In American English, this construction sounds like I can't help but do smth.

   I can't help thinking that he is a liar. - Can't stop thinking about him being a liar.
   I can't help but think about you. - I can't stop thinking about you.

   The phrase I couldn't help doing smth means "could not resist doing something."

   I couldn't help laughing. - I couldn't resist laughing.

2. Expression I couldn't care less

   I couldn't care less is used when you absolutely don't care about something.

   I have won the race!
   - I couldn't care less.
   - I won the race!
   - I don't care.

3. Expression I can't be bothered to do smth

   Use the expression I can't be bothered to do smth when you don't feel like or are too lazy to do something.

   I can't be bothered to look after your dog. - I don't feel any desire look after your dog.

4. Expression I can (could) do without smth

   The expression I can (could) do without smth is translated as "I can (could) do without something."

   I could easily do without a tent. - I would easily cost and no tent.
   I can't do without any hints. - I can't get by without hints.

5. The expressions I can't stand smth and I can't bear smth

   The construction I can't bear smth means "I can't stand anything", and the phrase I can't stand smth means "I can't stand anything", "I hate anything".

   I can't bear the thought of not having you beside me. - I can't bear the thought that you won't be by my side
   I can't stand his habits. - I can not stand his habits.

6. Expression I can't thank you enough for smth

   To express immense gratitude, use the expression I can't thank you enough for smth.

   I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. - I am immensely grateful to you for everything you did for me.

7. Expression you can't have it both ways

   The expression you can’t have it both ways is similar to our “you can’t sit on two chairs”.

   You can't have it both ways, darling. It's either you go to university or you have to find a job. - You can't sit on two chairs, Expensive. Either you go to university, or you have to look for a job.

8. Expression you never can tell

   The expression you never can tell is translated as “you never know”, “it is difficult to predict”.

   Do you think he's divorced? He hasn't got a ring.
   - You can never tell.
   Do you think he's divorced? He doesn't have a ring.
   - Hard to say.

Now you know more about the functions of the modal verb can (could). We hope you can easily pass the test.

Test on the topic "Modal verb can in English"

Modal verbs are verbs that express a person's assessment of the surrounding reality. Not denoting action, they express attitude towards action.

The action itself (meaning) is expressed by the infinitive of the verb (but without the particle to!), standing after the modal, therefore, they are usually not used separately from semantic ones.

One of the most common and frequently used modal verbs is can (could). Consider the features of its use.

Rules for using the verbs can and could

The verb can, like other modal verbs, has grammatical features:

• The verb can does not change form for various persons and numbers (in the third person singular there is no ending -s).
• Has no impersonal forms(that is, does not form , and ).
• The verb can is missing. In the past tense, this verb turns into the form could, and to form the future tense, a close equivalent is used to be able to (be able to do something).

I could play football from morning till night when I was a child.- I could play football from morning to night when I was a child.

I will be able to send you an answer tomorrow after breakfast. I can send you an answer tomorrow after breakfast.

Note: to be able to has a slightly different connotation. Can expresses the ability, the possibility in a general sense, while to be able to - the ability to do something at a certain point in time.

You can feel the difference with an example:

I can play the piano, but I am not able to do it at the moment because my hand is broken.- I can play the piano, but I can’t play now (I don’t have the opportunity) because my arm is broken.

When forming negatives and questions with modal verbs, auxiliary verbs are not used.

To form a question, can (could) is simply placed before the subject:

Can you give me a screwdriver?- Can you give me a screwdriver?

There are two entries for negation with can - full and abbreviated:

• Cannot(only continuous spelling) - can't (in the present tense);
• could not- couldn't (in the past).

The abbreviated form is used in informal, colloquial speech.

You can't just sit and watch TV all day long. You can't just sit and watch TV all day.

The use of the verb can (lexical meaning of can)

No homework. Without teeth. Without textbooks

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Negatives with the verbs can (could)

They are built without auxiliary verbs, the particle not is placed after the verb can / could.

Examples:

You cannot (can't) act this way, there are children all around.“You can’t act like this, there are children around here.

Jake could not (couldn't) understand anything at the lesson yesterday. Jake could not understand anything during the lesson yesterday.

Interrogative sentences with can/could verbs

To construct a question, let's change the word order characteristic of an affirmative sentence: Can/could + subject + semantic verb + other members of the sentence.

Examples:

Can you find any mistakes in this text? Can you find errors in this text?

Could you read when you were four years old? Did you know how to read when you were four years old?

With the help of interrogative sentences with can (could) they often express a request, which is usually translated into Russian as “Could you”, “permit”:

Can I ask you a couple of questions?– Can I ask you a couple of questions? (May I ask you a couple of questions?)

Could you give me that juicy piece of meat? - Could you pass me that juicy piece of meat?

Building questions with can (could) with qualifying words

For more information, you can use clarifying words:

• Who (who)
• What (what)
• Where (where)
• When (when)
• Which (which)
• why (why)

It remains the same as in an interrogative sentence without qualifying words, but a qualifying word is placed before can/could:

Clarifying word + can / could + subject + semantic verb + other members of the sentence.

Examples:

Who can show me the city? Who can show me the city?

What can Peter do to save the situation? What can Peter do to save the situation?

Note. In questions with clarifying words, the verb can (could) is often not translated:

Where can I find the best restaurant? Where can I find the best restaurant?

Who can speak German? – Does anyone speak German?

Set expressions with can

Let's list them:

• Can't stand- can't stand, can't stand
• Can't help doing something- can't help but do something (can't resist doing something)
• Can't take my eyes off her/him- can't take my eyes off him/her
• Can't think straight- can't concentrate
• Can't get you out of my head- I can't get you out of my head
• Can't get enough of something- can't get enough of anything

Summarize:

• The verb can does not denote action., and therefore is used only together with semantic verbs;
• Could is, but it can also mean in some senses;
• with can, as well as negative ones, are built without the use of auxiliary verbs, simply by changing the word order (for questions) and adding a negative particle (for negation);
• The meaning of the verb can: ability, skill, resolution, doubt (surprise);
• When expressing the meaning of doubt, mistrust using could instead of can will make you less categorical, tough;
• If you ask permission someone, then using could instead of can will make the tone more polite;
• There are many fixed expressions with can, which are better to learn.

Modal verb could has the meaning of probability or possibility in the past. It can be used to express requests and suggestions. Also verb could often used in conditional sentences as a conditional form of a verb can .

For example:
extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city.
Due to heavy rains could flood the city. ( Expresses a probability.)

Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11.
By the age of 11, Nancy already was able ski like a pro. ( Expresses a possibility in the past.)

You could see a movie or go out to dinner.
You we could watch a movie or go out to dinner. ( Expresses a suggestion.)

could I use your computer to email my boss?
Couldn't I use your computer to send an e-mail to my boss? ( Expresses a request.)

We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend.
We we could somewhere to go if I didn't have to work this weekend. ( Conditional offer.)

Using the modal verb could in the present, past and future tense

In most cases, the use of modal verbs in the past and future is different from other verbs. The table below shows modal verb usage could in different situations.

Please note that in the meaning of the request:

- can has a neutral hue

Can will you help me?
Can help me?

- could has a more polite connotation:

could will you help me?
Could you will you help me?

- May has a more formal connotation:

May I come in?
Allow to come in?

More specifically, modal verbs. These verbs do not express specific processes (actions), but only show the attitude of the speaker to the action, its assessment, i.e. opportunity, necessity, permission, etc.

Modal verbs are defective verbs because they do not have all the forms that other verbs have. Today we will get acquainted with the modal verb "can". Let's get started.

Education rules

The first thing to remember when using the modal verbs "can" and "could" is after them Necessarily another goes semantic verb. After all, the modal verb Can itself does not report on the action, but only shows our attitude towards it: “I can do some kind of action.” And after that “can” it is necessary to add “can I do what?”: “can drive a car” (I can drive a car), “can cook” (I can cook), etc.

The second - after "can" we do not use in speech particle " to': 'can speak English'. We are used to the fact that two verbs in English should be connected with each other using “to”: “decide to take a nap” (decide to take a nap) or “offer to go shopping” (offer to go shopping).

But the modal can/could" works without « to».

Third - " can' is used when someone Maybe do something now, and " could- when someone could do something in the past, now, most likely, can no longer.

Forms of the modal verb Can

As we said, the modal verb "can" refers to "defective verbs" and has only 2 forms: "can" and "could". We use these forms with any subject in both singular and plural.

I can(am able to) ride a horse. - I Can(can) ride a horse.
I could(was able to) speak Chinese when I was a kid. - When I was a child, I was able to speak Chinese.

To build the question, we'll just put "can" and "could" first, nothing else needs to be added.

The equivalent of the verb can - be able to

So we've seen the present and past tenses of can, but what about the future, present continuous, and other tenses in English?

In such situations, you should use the modal verb " be able to". It means " be able to do something". Since in this expression all operations are carried out with the verb "be", which freely changes in tenses, this phrase can replace "can" at any tense:

I will be able to do the task tomorrow.
I won't be able to do the task tomorrow.
Will you be able to do the task tomorrow? - Yes, I will. / No, I won't.

Conclusion

Things to remember about the verb can:

• "Can" is a modal verb. Together with it, no other auxiliary or modal verbs can stand next to it in one sentence:

do / does / did / am / is / are / was / were - auxiliary verbs;
may / must / might / should - other modal verbs.

• "Can" can only be used in the present tense. In Can, the past tense has the form " could" or " was able to / were able to», in future - « will be able to", I want to be able -" I want to be able».
• before the word " can» particle « to" stand can not. As, in fact, after.
• Not every Russian Maybe» rolls into English « can". There are words " May/might", meaning probability but not skill.
• Remember the phrase: What can I do? This is how questions are built with “ can».

And finally, " can" is not only a verb, but also a noun. Moreover, as a noun, “can” does not mean “skill” or “be able” at all, but “tin can”, “aluminum can for drinks”, “barrel for oil”, “barrel”, etc.

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