2. Can and could are modal verbs.Theyformsentenceslikethis: “Could” isthepastform of “can”.
3. We use “Can” toexpressabilities in thepresent. Thethingssomeone can orknowshowto do.Forexample:“She can playthe piano”Sheknowshowtoplayor has theabilitytoplaythe piano.
4. We use “Could” toexpressabilities in thepast. Thethingssomeonecouldorknewhowto do in thepast.Forexample:“Shecouldn’tplaythe piano lastyear”Shedidn’tknowhowtoplayordidn’thavetheabilitytoplaythe piano lastyear. Nowshe can.
5. Thisis Oliver He is 17 yearsold He lives in London He can playthe guitar, but he can’tplaythe piano. He can speakSpanish, but he can’tspeakRussian. Can he playfootball? Yes, he can playverywell.
6. Thisis Oliver again He was 4 yearsoldthen He lived in Cardiff He couldn’tplaythe guitar, but he couldswim. He couldn’tspeakSpanish, but he couldspeakEnglish. Could he playfootball? No, he couldn’t. But he couldride a bicycle.
