Grammar Notes: Can & Could
1. Ability
Can – present/future ability.
Example: I can swim. (= I am able to swim now.)
Could – past ability.
Example: When I was 5, I could read simple books.
2. Possibility
Can – something is possible.
Example: You can see the mountains from here.
Could – something is possible, but less certain.
Example: We could go to the beach if it’s sunny.
3. Permission
Can – to ask or give permission (informal).
Example: You can use my phone. / Can I borrow your book?
Could – to ask permission more politely.
Example: Could I leave early today?
4. Suggestions
Could is often used to suggest an idea.
Example: You could try the new restaurant in town.
5. Requests
Can – informal requests.
Example: Can you help me with this?
Could – polite or formal requests.
Example: Could you please explain that again?
Form:
Positive: can / could + base verb (I can dance.)
Negative: can’t / cannot; couldn’t (I couldn’t find my keys.)
Question: Can/Could + subject + base verb? (Can you drive?)
Fill-in-the-Blanks (can or could)
1. I _______ play the guitar, but I’m not very good.
2. When I was younger, I _______ run much faster than now.
3. _______ you open the window, please? It’s hot in here.
4. You _______ see the stars clearly from the hill.
5. She _______ speak three languages fluently.
6. We _______ go to the park this afternoon if it doesn’t rain.
7. I’m sorry, I _______ help you tomorrow because I’ll be busy.
8. When we lived in London, we _______ walk to school every day.
9. _______ I borrow your dictionary for a moment?
10. My grandfather _______ swim very well when he was young.
11. I _______ hear someone calling my name just now.
12. You _______ bring your own lunch if you want.
13. This test is easy, I’m sure you _______ pass it.
14. The road is closed, so we _______ drive that way.
15. _______ you tell me how to get to the station?
16. I’m not sure, but we _______ meet him at the café later.
17. In the past, people _______ travel without passports in some countries.
18. She looks tired. We _______ help her with the bags.
19. You _______ eat in the library. It’s not allowed.
20. He _______ play the piano when he was only five years old.
21. _______ you come to my party on Saturday?
22. I left my phone at home, so I _______ call you earlier.
23. If we save enough money, we _______ go to Japan next year.
24. This computer is old, but it still _______ work fine.
25. I’m free now, so I _______ help you with your homework.
Fill-in-the-Blanks (revision can, could, will, would)
1. I _______ meet you at the station at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
2. When I was a child, I _______ climb trees easily.
3. _______ you please pass me the salt?
4. If I had more time, I _______ learn another language.
5. You _______ borrow my bike if you’re careful.
6. She’s very fast; she _______ finish the race in under an hour.
7. I think we _______ go to the cinema tonight.
8. Sorry, I _______ come to your party because I’ll be away.
9. _______ I ask you a question?
10. If I were taller, I _______ play basketball better.
11. I’m busy now, but I _______ call you later.
12. They said they _______ help us with the project.
13. When he was younger, he _______ run 10 km without stopping.
14. _______ you like some cake?
15. It’s raining, so we _______ get wet if we go out.
16. My father promised he _______ take me fishing next weekend.
17. In the old days, you _______ buy bread for just 10 cents.
18. We’re not sure yet, but we _______ visit the zoo tomorrow.
19. _______ you mind opening the window?
20. She said she _______ always love him.
21. You _______ not park here; it’s a no-parking zone.
22. If I had the money, I _______ buy a new car.
23. I’m tired now, so I think I _______ go to bed early.
24. My grandmother _______ knit very well when she was young.
25. This road is closed, so we _______ take a different route.
26. _______ you join us for dinner tonight?
27. In the future, cars _______ drive themselves.
28. He told me he _______ meet us at the café at 3 p.m.
29. I wish I _______ speak five languages fluently.
30. If you don’t hurry, you _______ miss the bus.
Shake it Off
I stay out too _________ mm
Got nothing in my _________ That's what they don't see, mm-mm
That's what people say, mm-mm I'm _________ on my own
That's what people say, mm-mm I make the moves up as I _________
I go on too many dates And that's what they don't know, mm-
But I can't make 'em _________ mm
At least that's what _________ say, That's what they don't know, mm-mm
mm-mm But I keep cruisin'
That's what _________ say, mm-mm Can't stop, won't stop groovin'
But I keep cruisin' It's like I got this ________ in my mind
Can't stop, won't stop _________ Sayin', "It's gonna be alright"
It's like I got this ________ in my mind
Sayin', "It's gonna be alright" Repeat Chorus
Hey, hey, hey
'Cause the players gonna play, play, Just think, while you've been gettin'
play, play, play down and out about the liars
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, And the dirty, dirty cheats of the world
hate, hate You could've been gettin' _________
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, to this sick beat
shake, shake, shake My ex-man brought his new
I shake it off, I shake it off (whoo-hoo- _________ _________
hoo) She's like, "Oh my God!" but I'm just
breakers gonna break, break, break, gonna shake
break, break And to the fella over there with the
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, hella good _________
fake, fake Won't you _________ on over, baby?
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, We can shake, shake, shake (yeah)
shake, shake, shake Yeah, oh, oh
I shake it off, I shake it off (whoo-hoo-
hoo) Repeat Chorus
I never _________ a beat
I'm _________ on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mm-
