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2.1. CONCRETE MEANINGS OF CAN AND COULD
2.1.1. CAN AND COULD
| We use can when we talk about metal, physical ability or possibility due to the circumstances in the present. Can you play chess? Ostriches can run very fast. You can buy a hammer at the hardware store. In the negative can't is more usual than cannot, which is very formal. The past form of can meaning "ability, possibility" is could. Their son could swim before he could walk. Note1. We usually use can and could with verbs for mental processes and senses such as see, hear, smell, taste, feel, understand, remember, believe, guess. Can you remember her name? We could hear a cat, but we couldn't tee it. When I came into the house, I could smell something burning. We sometimes use these verbs in the Present Simple (Do you remember his name?), but not in the Present Continuous. Bear in mind that can/could used with these verbs are not translated into Russian or Ukrainian: Ти пам’ятаєш, як його звуть? Ми чули кота, але не бачили його. Коли зайшов у дім, я почув запах паленого. |
Ex. 3. Using a dictionary if necessary, complete these sentences with the nouns and appropriate forms of the verbs with can or could.
| animal insect star weapon jump live not see use |
1. A pulsar is a.......... that.........., but sends out regular radio signals.
2. An amphibian is an.......... that.......... both on land and in water.
3. A grasshopper is an.......... with long back legs that.......... very high.
4. A catapult was an ancient.......... that.......... to thro w large heavy stones.
Ex. 4. Complete each sentence with can or could in the meaning of possibility due to the circumstances and the words from the table:
Mr Wilson is in Rio de Janeiro on business for a few days. A Brazilian friend is showing him round, and tells him what sometimes happens, or used to happen in the past.
| be take get | difficult / dangerous / cuts / cool / over an hour |
1. Be careful when you swim - the sea can be dangerous
2. You'd better take a sweater. It ……..…….. at night.
3. There's a tunnel through the mountains now - before it was built, it …….. to get to the other side of the city.
4. The electricity supply is very good now. Years ago there …….. that lasted for hours.
Ex. 5. Discussion task. Read the following text.
A researcher into human behavior conducted an experiment. First she talked to a group of four-year-olds.
“How many of you can dance?” All of the children raised their hands.
"How many of you can sing?" All of the hands shot up.
"And finally, how many of you can draw?" Every child's hand was raised.
Next the researcher went to a college class of twenty-five students in their late teens and early twenties.
"How many of you can dance?" she asked. About a third of the students raised their hands.
"How many of you can sing?" Some hands were raised, but fewer than were raised for the first question.
"How many of you can draw?" Only two hands went up.
Discuss the following in groups or as a class:
What do you think accounts for the different responses in the two groups, and what conclusions might you make if you were the researcher?
2.1.2. CAN/COULD AND TO BE ABLE TO
| The phrasal modal to be able to is possible instead of can / could, but can / couldis more usual.
Are you able to speak any foreign languages?
Were you able to swim when you were 6?
We avoid be able to in the following cases:
when we talk about something happening as we speak:
Watch me, Mum, I can stand on one leg. (not … I’m able to stand on one leg.)
before passives:
CDs can now be copied easily. (rather than CDs are now able to be copied easily)
when the meaning is “know how to”:
Can you cook? (rather than Are you able to cook?)
We use be able to instead of can or could in four cases:
· in infinitives: They want to be able to practise;
· in gerunds: She left without being able to talk to the teacher;
· after modals: Tom might be able to come tomorrow;
· in the perfect He hasn't been able to study.
We don't use be able to in the continuous: He isn't able to walk. (NOT |
Ex. 6. Complete the sentences using can or to be able to. Use can if possible; otherwise use to be able to.
George has travelled a lot. He... can... speak four languages.
I haven't...been able to... sleep very well recently.
Sandra......... drive but she hasn't got a car.
Ican't understand Martin. I've never......... understand him.
I used to......... stand on my head but I can't do it now.
I can't see you on Friday but I......... meet you on Saturday morning.
Ask Catherine about your problem. She might......... help you.
Ex. 7. Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.
(something you used to be able to do)......... I used to be able to sing well.
(something you used to be able to do) I used..................
(something you would like to be able to do).................
(something you have never been able to do) I've..................
Ex. 8. Complete the sentences with can / can't / could / couldn't + one of these verbs:
| come eat hear run sleep wait |
1. I'm afraid I... can’t come.. to your party next week.
2. When Tim was 16, he was a fast runner. He......... 100 metres in 11 seconds.
3. 'Are you in a hurry?' 'No, I've got plenty of time. I......... '
4. I was feeling sick yesterday. I......... anything.
5. Can you speak up a bit? I......... you very well.
6. 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I......... last night.'
Ex. 9. Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to or managed to
1. A: Did everybody escape from the fire?
B: Yes. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody... was able to escape.
2. A: Did you have difficulty finding Ann's house?
B: Not really. Ann had given us good directions and we.........
3. A: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
B: Yes. There was nobody to disturb me, so.........
4. A: Did the thief get away?
B: Yes. No one realised what was happening and the thief.........
Ex. 10. Complete the sentences using could, couldn't or was/were able to.
1. My grandfather was a very clever man. He... could... speak five languages.
2. I looked everywhere for the book but I... couldn't..find it.
3. They didn't want to come with us at first but we......... persuade them.
4. Laura had hurt her leg and......... walk very well.
5. Sue wasn't at home when I phoned but I......... contact her at her office.
6. I looked very carefully and I......... see a figure in the distance.
7. I wanted to buy some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didn't have any but I......... get some in the next shop.
8. My grandmother loved music. She......... play the piano very well.
9. A girl fell into rhc river but fortunately we......... rescue her.
10. I had forgotten to bring my camera so I......... take any photographs.
Ex. 11. Complete the account of the climb with could/couldn't wherever possible - otherwise use was/were able to:
Stephen and Julie were spending a few days camping with some friends in Snowdonia. On a climb, there was a difficult section. Stephen has long arms, and was able to climb this easily, but Julie is not so tall and ……. reach the hold.
In the end, she ……. reach it by standing on her friend's shoulders. 'Never mind,' he said. 'I ……. get up this bit the first time I tried.' The rest of the climb was easier, and they ……. reach the top by 12 o'clock. It was warm and sunny, and they ……. see the whole of Snowdonia.
Ex. 12. Put in can/can't if possible, if not use could or will be able to.
1. I think I......... speak English quite well in a few months.
2. Dr Parker......... see you at 12 on Tuesday.
3. It's quite fine, Clara, the rain has stopped. We......... can have a small walk.
4. I......... tell stories, never..........
5. The mountains were a long way away and we......... see snow on their tops.
6. She......... travel again in a few weeks.
7. If I practise a bit, I......... be pretty good at tennis.
8. I'm free at the weekend, so you......... come round.
9. They knew the town so they......... advise him where to go.
10. Mary usually leaves work at six, but she......... leave earlier on Fridays.
11. Do you think one day people......... travel to the stars?
12. Since he was working at the hospital all day he......... only learn in the evening.
13. In a few years, computers......... think better than we do.
14. I'll post your letter, but I don't think the postman......... read the address.
15. She......... do your job with no trouble at all.
16.......... you believe the girl?......... it be true?
17. We......... get in touch with him in such a short time.
18. I......... come tomorrow, I'm afraid. I'm too busy.
19. This week isn't good, but I......... bring the car in next week.
20. I......... hear Miss Graham's voice, but I......... hear what she said.
Ex. 13. Complete the sentences using could/couldn't or was/were able to.
1. Her grandparents were multilingual. They......... speak six foreign languages.
2... Though the day was rather windy the firemen......... put the fire out in less than ten minutes.
3. Linda loved sewing greatly. She......... make her clothes without any help.
4. He......... do this, if he tried.
5. Even though I hurt my leg I......... swim back to the boat.
6. She......... enter the university as she knew the material well enough.
7.......... you speak English before you went to London? — Unfortunately I......... not speak it very well.
8. Doreen had a terrible sore-throat. It was very difficult for her to swallow but she......... drink a cup of broth.
9. Did you buy any fresh fruit? — Oh, it was really a problem, I …. buy it in the market.
10. I was sure I......... get to the top of the mountain.
11. Happily Ann......... swim across the river, otherwise she would have drowned.
12. As he was not interrupted he......... finish his work by the evening.
13. I'm sorry but I......... not come to the party on Sunday.
14. They were a long way from the stage. They......... see all right but they......... not hear very well.
15. The police were suspicious at first but I......... convince them that we were innocent.
16. I had no key so I......... not lock the door.
17. When the garage had repaired our car we......... continue journey.
18. George played tennis well but he......... not beat Graham.
19. The car fell down into the river. The driver......... get out but the passengers sank.
20. At five years old he......... compose poems and everyone approved of them.
2.1.3. COULD DO AND COULD HAVE DONE
In paragraph 2.1.1. it was said that could is the past of can:
· Listen. I can hear something. (now)
· I listened. I could hear something. (past)
But could is not only used in this way. We also use could to talk about possible actions now or in the future, especially to make a suggestion or express an unreal action:
· What shall we do this evening? - We could go to the cinema.
· I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
In this case could is translated as “могли б, міг би” and is referred to the present:
· Ми могли б пійти до кінотеатру.
· Я такий голодний, що міг би з’їсти слона!
If we want to talk about an unreal action in the past we use could have done. Compare the following examples:
· I'm so tired. I could sleep for a week. – Я так втомився. Я міг би проспати цілий тиждень.
· I was so tired last Friday. I could have slept for a week. – Я так втомився минулої п’ятниці. Я міг би проспати цілий тиждень.
Most often, we use could have done for things which were possible but did not happen:
· Why did you stay at a hotel when you went to New York? You could have stayed with Barbara. (you had the opportunity to stay with her but you didn't).
· Jack fell off a ladder yesterday but he's all right. He's lucky - he could have hurt himself badly (but he didn't hurt himself).
· The situation was bad but it could have been worse.
Could have doneis synonymous to would have been able to do:
• The trip was cancelled last week. Paul couldn't have gone anyway because he was ill. (= he wouldn't have been able to go)
The use of can and could to denote real and unreal possibility is summarized in the following table:
|
Ex. 14. Complete this joke with appropriate forms of can or could.
Did you hear about the woman who went fishing, but.......... catch anything? On her way home, she stopped at the market so that she.......... buy two fish. She then stepped back a few paces and asked the fish seller if.......... throw them to her. The puzzled man asked, ‘Why?’ The woman answered. ‘So that I.......... tell my husband that I caught a couple of fish today!’
Ex. 15. After their climb (ex. 11), Stephen and his friends were all very hungry, hot, tired, thirsty, and happy. Use could with items in the box to complete their exclamations:
| drink 8 bottles of lemonade sleep for 24 hours look at them all day eat a kilo of rice melt |
Stephen: 'I'm so hungry, I could eat a kilo of rice!
julie: 'I'm not hungry, but I'm so thirsty ……..
John: 'I didn't sleep well last night. I'm so tired …….
anne: 'Me too. And the weather needs to be cooler to climb mountains — I'm so hot.
Julie: 'The mountains are so beautiful, though. I ……..
Later, Julie wrote a postcard to her parents, and described how everyone had felt: Stephen was so hungry he could have eaten a kilo of rice. Continue her letter, writing the other sentences in the same way:
I wasn't hungry, but I was so thirsty I ……..John and Anne were so tired
they …….., and Anne was so hot she …….. The mountains were so beautiful, though. I ……..
2.2. IMPERATIVE MEANING OF CAN AND COULD
| The modal verb can is often used in dialogues in its imperative meaning to express: 1. Request: Can you help me with my hometask in Maths? 2. Asking for permission: Can I borrow your car for this evening? 3. Permission: You can borrow my car for this evening. 4. Prohibition: You can’t borrow my car for tomorrow. I’ll need it myself. The modal verb could is also used in these meanings in reported speech: My little sister asked me if I could help her with her hometask in Maths. John asked his mother if he could borrow her car for the evening. Mother said that John could borrow her car. But she said he couldn’t borrow it for the next day as she needed it herself. The modal verb could is often used in the meaning of request and asking for permission as a more polite form of can. Actually asking for permission, or making a request with canis informal and confident whereas couldis rather more formal, and often more polite: Can you show me how to use this gadget? (to a friend) – Можеш показати, як працює цій пристрій? Could you show me how to use this gadget? (to the shop assistant) – Не могли б Ви показати, як працює ций пристрій? |
| If you want to sound really polite, you can use one of the following expressions: If Could I possibly interrupt you? Do you think I could speak to you for a few minutes? I was wondering if I could ask you for a favour. I couldn't possibly have another day to finish that work, could /? The modal verb could (but not can)in combination with Perfect Infinitive may be used in the meaning reproach. It implies that a person should have done something, or behaved in a certain way, but didn’t do it: You could at least have met me at the station. – Ти міг би принаймні зустріти мене на станції. This meaning is more often expressed by might. |
Ex. 16. What do these public notices and signs mean?
| You can’t smoke here. You …………… You ………… only ………. if you are a member. You ……..…go forward, but you ……………. You can ………. it, but you ……… iron it. You ………… park for up to one hour, but you ……………… park here again for the next two hours. |
Ex. 17. What would you say in the situations below? (Remember that there is only a small difference between can and could - the manner of the speaker is just as important).
1. To a stranger, if you wanted to know the time.
'Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please?'
2. To your brother, if you wanted him to turn his radio down.
‘…………..turn your radio down, please?’
3. To the ticket seller, if you wanted to know the time of the next train.
‘…………. me the time of the next train, please?’
4. To the air stewardess, if you wanted some more coffee.
‘………… have some more coffee, please?’
5. To your teacher, if you wanted him/her to help you with a letter.
‘…………. help me with this letter, please?’
6. To a shop assistant, if you wanted to try on an article of clothing.
……………….. try this on?
7. To a waiter, if you wanted the bill.
…………….. have the bill, please?'
Ex. 18. Express a request or asking for permission in a very polite way in the following situations.
1. Mr Wilson asks his boss if he can leave the office an hour earlier than usual.
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