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Anna Sophia Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Can @ could

Hi,
I am quite confuse on how to use can or could

I heard that if we want to ask favour, we use could instead of can because it is more polite.
For example
Could u help me with those works NOT can u help me with those works
Is it true?

In Enrique Iglesias song for example, he sang
Could i have this kiss forever NOT can i hav this kiss forever
The use of could and can, is it has something to do with past tense?

TQ
  

Top answer

Hello Uses of "could" A polite form of can - Could I use your phone please. The past tense of can - I could swim when I was 3 years old. To express possibility - Where is Mary?

— LouiseT

  • Hello Uses of "could" A polite form of can - Could I use your phone please.
  • The past tense of can - I could swim when I was 3 years old.
  • To express possibility - Where is Mary?
  • She could be in the canteen.
  • (It is possible that she is in the canteen).
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1 Answers
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Hello

Uses of "could"

A polite form of can - Could I use your phone please.
The past tense of can - I could swim when I was 3 years old.
To express possibility - Where is Mary? She could be in the canteen. (It is possible that she is in the canteen).

In conditional sentences. - If I saved up enough money I could afford to go on holiday to China.

Could
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