Usage of can and could

"Can" expresses present ability, general possibility, permission, and informal requests, while "could" indicates past ability, polite requests, uncertain possibility, and hypothetical or conditional situations. "Could" is considered more polite and formal than "can" in requests and offers.

Use "Can" for:

Present Ability: Something you are currently able to do or know how to do.

Example:

She can play the piano - அவளால் பியானோ வாசிக்க முடியும்.

General Possibility: What is possible in general, but not necessarily in a specific future event.

Example:

It can rain in April - ஏப்ரல் மாதத்தில் மழை பெய்யலாம்.

Permission: Asking for or giving permission.

Example:

Can I go outside? - நான் வெளியே போகலாமா?

Informal Requests/Offers: To ask someone to do something in a friendly way, or to offer help.

Example:

Can you open the window? - உன்னால் ஜன்னலைத் திறக்க முடியுமா?

Use "Could" for:

Past Ability: Something you were able to do in the past.

Example:

He could run fast when he was young - அவன் இளமையாக இருந்தபோது வேகமாக ஓடக்கூடியவன்.

Polite Requests: More formal and polite than "can".

Example:

Could you open the window, please? - தயவுசெய்து ஜன்னலைத் திறக்க முடியுமா?

Uncertain or Hypothetical Possibility: When something is possible but not certain, or in a conditional situation.

Example:

It could rain later - பின்னர் மழை பெய்யலாம்

Suggestions: To suggest an idea or course of action.

Example:

You could wear your pink suit - நீங்கள் உங்களுடைய இளஞ்சிவப்பு உடையை அணியலாம்.

Key Differences

Formality: "Could" is more polite and formal than "can".

Tense: "Can" is generally used for the present, while "could" is often used for the past.

Certainty: "Can" can indicate a higher likelihood of possibility, whereas "could" suggests a lower or uncertain possibility.

Summary and Practice

You have now learned the key differences in usage between can and could and the situations in which can and could be used. You now know when to use can and could.

Do it yourself

1. I can go - என்னால் போகமுடியும்.
2. Can you go? - உன்னால் போகமுடியுமா?
3. Could you move a little? - உன்னால் கொஞ்சம் நகர முடியுமா?
4. I can't - என்னால் முடியாது.
5. I can - என்னால் முடியும்.