Reporting permission

Can and could are used to talk about permission that has already been given or refused, and about things that are/are not allowed by rules and laws.

She said I could come as often as I liked.

Can you park on a double yellow line on Sundays?

In talking about the past, we use could to say that somebody had permission to do something at any time (‘general’ permission), but we do not use could to talk about permission for one particular action in the past. Compare: When I was a child, I could watch TV whenever I wanted to.

Yesterday evening, Peter was allowed to watch TV for an hour.

But could not can be used to talk about one particular action that was not allowed.

Peter couldn’t watch TV yesterday because he was naughty.

Offers

We often use can when we offer to do things for people.

‘Can I carry your bag?’

I can baby-sit for you this evening if you like.

Could is possible if we want an offer to sound less definite.

I could mend your bicycle for you, if that would help.

Requests, orders and suggestions

We can use can and could to ask or tell people to do things. Could is more polite, more formal or less definite, and is often used for making suggestions.

Can you put the children to bed?

Could you lend me five pounds until tomorrow?

Do you think you could help me for a few minutes?

When you’ve finished the washing up you can clean the kitchen. Then you could iron the clothes, if you like.

If you haven’t got anything to do you could sort out your photos.

5. could and could have done can be used to criticise people for not doing things.

You could ask before you borrow my car.

You could have told me you were getting married.

Practice

1. Explain the meanings of c an in the following sentences.

1. But the next day she was not well. She could not leave her cabin.

2. We can discuss it now, clause by clause.

3. My son is not in town; but he will be before long. Can I give him a message?

4. What on earth induced her to behave as she did, I never could understand. She could have married anybody she chose.

5. Can I smoke, Mr Hawkins?

6. I ate the next course grimly to an end; she couldn’t have been enjoying her meal much either.

7. We’ll get you into the next room, and you can lie on the sofa.

8. What can have happened to change him so much?

9. Can there have been any misunderstanding in our first encounter?

10. The teacher said they could all go home.

2. Use the necessary form of the infinitive after can/ could in the following sentences.

1. Her face was quite unlined and she could not (to be) more than thirty.

2. I’m wondering if something can (to do) about it.

3. Her friend said quickly: ‘I know where you can (to get) your bicycle fied.’

4. ‘You couldn’t (to worry) too much,’ Jack was tempted to say, ‘if you’re still out at the one thirty in the morning.’

5. It’s impossible. He can’t (to do) it.

6. There wasn’t anything wrong with tea. There couldn’t (to be).

7. ‘Have you seen anything of Roberta lately?’ ‘Not for ages. I don’t know what she can (to do).

8. He couldn’t (to hear) the news at dinner because his sister hadn’t arrived yet.

9. I can easily (to walk) to the railway station.

10. For several reasons Bolt stared at her, terrified. ‘I can’t (to die). I don’t want to die.’

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