can / could

grammaire (modal)/kæn, kʊd/ 🔊 écouter

can et could sont des modaux. can = capacité/permission au présent ; could = capacité passée ou demande plus polie.

📖 Significations

1can = capacité présente
"I can swim." — (maintenant)
2could = capacité passée
"I could swim at age 5." — (passé)
3could = demande plus polie
"Could you help me?" — (poli)
4can = permission (familier)
"Can I go now?" — (permission)

🔄 Souvent confondu

can vs could →could vs would →can vs may →

💬 Expressions

Can you...?Could you...? (poli)I can't
❓ Lequel est plus poli ?