can or could

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Kejun Mei - 21 Jul 2004 21:17 GMT

Can someone please help to explain the difference between the "CAN"
and "COULD" in the sentences below? I often hear the ones with the
verb "COULD" in conversations, but I don't know when I should use
"COULD".

It COULD be true.
It CAN be true.

I COULD be wrong.
I CAN be wrong.

Thanks, Kejun

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Mxsmanic - 22 Jul 2004 05:15 GMT

> Can someone please help to explain the difference between the "CAN"
> and "COULD" in the sentences below? I often hear the ones with the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I COULD be wrong.
> I CAN be wrong.

Can is simple capacity; could is capacity and hypothesis. You use can
when you are sure that something is possible; you use could when you're
not sure, or often when the possibility is dependent upon some sort of
condition.

Could is actually the past tense of can:

"Today I can run a mile in five minutes."
"When I was young I could run a mile in five minutes."

When you use the simple past or past subjunctive to establish a
hypothesis, you use the past tense of can to indicate the possible
consequence:

"If I were stronger, I could win the Tour de France."
"If I be/am stronger, I can win the Tour de France."

(Note that many speakers use the indicative rather than the subjunctive
today, especially in the present tense.)

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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / July 2004

can or could