Can also implies that something is very likely to happen, while could means it could happen but also might not happen. Consider could a realist when it comes to possibilities—something might happen, but it also might not. Can is often seen as more casual, while could is read as more polite and formal.
Can is used to refer to someone’s ability in the present tense, whereas could is used in the past tense. Use could if you’re describing someone’s ability in the past tense. When you’re referring to someone’s ability to do something, use can in present-tense scenarios and could in past-tense situations.
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Definition of can 1 modal verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary May is the more formal word, and if you are at all concerned about being tut-tutted, a safe choice. There is no particular reason for the rule, except for the fact that may has been used longer to mean “to give permission” than can has. It originally referred to having strength or power, and then very quickly developed a meaning that referred to ability. But the reality of the situation is that both can and may have been used historically to refer to permission and continue to be used so today.
The “joke” here is based on the insistence that you should use may when asking for permission to do something, and can when speaking about ability. Using can in this sense isn’t incorrect but it is considered informal. Can is also used to ask for permission, but it’s seen as more casual and shouldn’t be used in formal settings. Can is used when you want to ask permission in a casual setting, and could is seen as more formal.
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1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
verb (used with object)
- It was a verb that originally meant “to know,” and then “to know how to do something,” and then “to have the ability to do something.” This last meaning, which showed up around 1300, was can’s first semantic overlap with may.
- It didn’t take too long for teachers and grammarians of the day to proscribe that can should only be used of ability and may of permission.
- Can is often seen as more casual, while could is read as more polite and formal.
Use could to refer to someone’s ability in the past tense or indicate that something might happen, but it also might not happen. Use can to indicate someone’s ability in the present tense or indicate that there is a good chance of something happening. Both are modal verbs used to express ability or possibility; they can also be used to ask for permission. Can is now the verb of choice for ability, and both can and may are still used in the « possibility » sense.
verb (used with or without object)
In reality, can likely has more use in the “permission” sense than is recorded, as it is more informal and so shows up in speech more frequently than may does. It didn’t take too long for teachers and grammarians of the day to proscribe that can should only be used of ability and may of permission. Can expresses someone’s ability to do something, so use it when you want to say that someone is able to do something right now.
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Can is used to describe scenarios that are more likely than not to happen, while could is used for scenarios that are less probable. Could, on the other hand, should be used for things that have an equal chance of not happening. Get the Word of the Day every day! If all goes well, the coach secured with a proven approach could lead to a return to happier days. To add can to a word list please sign up or log in.
Definition of can – Learner’s Dictionary
- Use could to refer to someone’s ability in the past tense or indicate that something might happen, but it also might not happen.
- Can is used when you want to ask permission in a casual setting, and could is seen as more formal.
- Use can to indicate someone’s ability in the present tense or indicate that there is a good chance of something happening.
All four of these meanings were in use before 1000AD. May is the earlier verb, showing up in manuscripts from the 8th century. ” since their ability to use the facilities is likely not in question. By this logic, the student should have said “May I go to the bathroom? If you want to sound formal, use may. Can and may are both used to talk about permission.
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Could is the past tense modal verb used to express someone’s ability. Can is the present tense modal verb used to express someone’s ability. It was a verb that originally meant “to know,” and then “to know how to do something,” can u smoke moon rocks by itself and then “to have the ability to do something.” This last meaning, which showed up around 1300, was can’s first semantic overlap with may.
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You should also know that can is seen as an informal way of asking permission. When referring to the possibility of something happening, can should be used if there’s a good chance that it will happen. When you’re talking about the possibility of something happening in the future, use can if something is very likely to happen. People often use can and could interchangeably, even though the words have slightly different meanings. Definition of can 1 modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary Learn a new word every day.