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Ability: advanced points

Future: can or will be able​

We use can to talk about future actions which we will be able to do because of present ability, present circumstances, present decisions, etc.

  • She can win the race tomorrow if she really tries.
  • I’ve bought the tent, so we can go camping next weekend if we want to.
  • I haven’t got time today, but I can see you tomorrow.
  • Can you come to a party on Saturday?

In other cases we prefer other structures, for example will be able to.

  • I’ll be able to speak French at the end of this course. (not I can speak French …)
  • One day people will be able to go to the moon for the weekend. (or it will be possible to go …)

could in the past​

Could is not normally used to say that somebody did something on one occasion in the past (see here).

  • I managed to buy a really nice coat yesterday. (not I could buy a really nice coat yesterday.)

However, could can refer to one occasion with certain verbs: see, hear, taste, feel, smell, understand, remember and guess (see here).

  • I could smell something burning.
  • I could understand everything she said.

And we can use could to talk about one occasion with words like hardly or only, that have a negative sense.

  • She could hardly believe her eyes.
  • I could only get six eggs.

Could can also sometimes refer to one occasion in subordinate clauses.

  • I’m so glad that you could come.

Languages and instruments: She speaks Greek.​

We often leave out can when we are talking about the ability to speak languages or to play instruments.

  • She speaks Greek. / She can speak Greek.
  • Do/Can you play the piano?

can/could always​

Can/could always can mean ‘can/could … if there is nothing better’.

  • ‘I don’t know what to get Mark for his birthday.’ ‘Well, you can always give him a gift card.’
  • ‘What are we going to eat?’ ‘We could always warm up that soup.’