Fill in the blanks with can or could. In some cases, they are both possible.
1............... I ask you something?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Can" and "Could" are correct for a request, and "Could" is more polite.
2She said I ............... come as often as I liked.
Wrong!
Use "could" after the past reporting verb "said" for reported permission or possibility.
3Jack ............... not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
Wrong!
Use "could" for past ability or possibility with the time expression "yesterday".
4He ............... borrow my car if he asked.
Wrong!
Use "could" in the main clause of this unreal conditional sentence.
5I ............... her if I had wanted to.
Wrong!
Use "could have married" for an unreal possibility in the past.
6............... you lend me some money until tomorrow?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Can" and "Could" are correct for a request, and "Could" is more polite.
7When I was a child, I ............... play whenever I wanted to.
Wrong!
Use "could" for general ability or permission in the past.
8"Where is John?" "I'm not sure. He ............... be in the garden."
Wrong!
Use "could" to express a present possibility when you are not certain.
9It was a place where anything ............... happen.
Wrong!
Use "could" because the sentence describes possibility in a past situation.
10I ............... not understand anything she said.
Wrong!
Use "could" for past ability or understanding.
11You ............... get a better job if you speak English.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both are possible: "can" presents a real, general possibility in this conditional sentence, and "could" presents it as a slightly less certain possibility. "Would" needs an unreal condition ("if you spoke English").
12War ............... break out any day.
Wrong!
Use "could" for a particular possibility in the future; "can" is only used for general possibility, not for the chance that something will happen.
Answers
- Can / Could I ask you something?
- She said I could come as often as I liked.
- Jack could not go to work yesterday because he was ill.
- He could borrow my car if he asked.
- I could have married her if I had wanted to.
- Can / Could you lend me some money until tomorrow?
- When I was a child, I could play whenever I wanted to.
- “Where is John?” “I’m not sure. He could be in the garden.”
- It was a place where anything could happen.
- I could not understand anything she said.
- You can / could get a better job if you speak English.
- War could break out any day.