Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
cord; line; string; telegraph cable
photo
wire
allowance
access
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

'can' vs 'could'



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Can "must" be used to express "possiblity"? | idiomatic sentence: 'I would be glad if you came to visit us some day'?
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
'can' vs 'could' #1 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 7:34 am   'can' vs 'could'
 

hi,

can somebody help the uses of following clauses

I can be the
I can't be the
I can't have
I can't have been
I couldn't have

I always confuse about this....
Truebytes
New Member


Joined: 29 Apr 2007
Posts: 9

'can' vs 'could' #2 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 8:49 am   'can' vs 'could'
 

Can is used to express the ability to do something.

e.g
You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You can edit your posts in this forum
You can delete your posts in this forum
You can vote in polls in this forum

I doubt on "I can't have been..". I've never came across such sentence.

Regards,
Swapnil.
Swapnil.Kale
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Pune, India

Learn to use the present simple with the help of this short storyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Read these English anecdotes and maybe smile today? Subscribe to free email English course
'can' vs 'could' #3 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 9:01 am   'can' vs 'could'
 

e.g. 'I can't have been that careless', which would suggest: it's reasonable to think that I was not that careless (but actually I was careless with something at sometime).
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan

Display posts from previous:   
Can "must" be used to express "possiblity"? | idiomatic sentence: 'I would be glad if you came to visit us some day'?
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Expression: would beginWere or was?What is the meaning of cliche?simple past vs. past perfectIs this grammatically correct? -- I am to read a bookNeck and CrackReported speech (Harry asked me if I HAD met Bill and Maria yet)meaning of "I would not have a leg to stand on"Phrase: what practical useA few expressions from 'Catch-22'Please check my letter 'Narrative'Expression: to cut out the middle man"Based on" vs "Based off"

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail