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Aseem31 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Can or Could

Hello,
What is the difference between can and could? Is could* more polite than *can ?
Can I speak to mark?
Could I use your phone?

What difference does it make if I use Could in first sentence and Can in the second one.
Thanks
  

Top answer

Both are okay in casual situations, and you are correct that could is a little more polite than can. In more formal situations, or in writing, may is better than either.

— Philip

  • Both are okay in casual situations, and you are correct that could is a little more polite than can.
  • In more formal situations, or in writing, may is better than either.
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4 Answers
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Both are okay in casual situations, and you are correct that could is a little more polite than can.
In more formal situations, or in writing, may is better than either.
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I have seen people saying couldn't care less. What does that mean?
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Whether or not you are going with us, I couldn't care less [it makes absolutely no difference to me I don't care at all]. It is often expressed as "I could care less", which doesn't make sense, but it's understood.
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aseem31I have seen people saying couldn't care less. What does that mean?
In this case could means 'would be able to'.

I couldn't care less. ~ I could not care less. ~ I would not be able to care less.

We care about things. We care about the way we look. We care about what we eat. We care about what happens to those we love.
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