Fill in the blanks with can or could. In some cases, they are both possible.
1. ........................... I ask you something?
Both can and could are possible here. Could is more polite than can.
2. She said I ............................ come as often as I liked.
When the main clause is in the past tense, we need a past tense in the subordinate clause as well.
3. Jack ................................. not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
Could is the past tense form of can. Here the time expression yesterday clearly indicates that we are referring to the past.
4. He ............................. borrow my car, if she asked.
In conditional clauses, if the verb in the if-clause is in the past tense, we use could / would / might + infinitive in the main clause.
5. I .................................... her, if I had wanted to.
When the verb in the if-clause is in the past perfect tense, we use would / could have + past participle in the main clause.
6. .......................... you lend me some pounds until tomorrow?
Both can and could are possible here.
7. When I was a child, I ............................ play whenever I wanted to.
8. 'Where is John?' He .......................... be in the garden.
Can is not used in affirmative sentences to talk about logical possibility.
9. It was a place where anything .......................... happen.
We use could here because the main clause is in the past tense.
10. I ............................ not understand anything she said.
We use could here because the verb in the other clause is in the past tense.
11. You ............................ get a better job if you speak English.
When the verb in the if-clause is in the present tense, we use will / can + infinitive in the main clause
12. War ............................ break out any day.
Can and could are possible here; could shows weak possibility.
Answers
1. Can / Could I ask you something?
2. She said I could come as often as I liked.
3. Jack could not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
4. He could borrow my car, if she asked.
5. I could have married her, if I had wanted to.
6. Can / Could you lend me some pounds until tomorrow?
7. When I was a child, I could play whenever I wanted to.
8. ‘Where is John?’ He could be in the garden.
9. It was a place where anything could happen.
10. I could not understand anything she said.
11. You can get a better job if you speak English.
12. War can / could break out any day.
