Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Darkness]

could and can?

is it correct to say:
Could I borrow a pencil?
or Can I borrow a pencil?

[CP]

Well, my teachers would have answered this way:

The correct expression is, "May I borrow a pencil?" Even "Might I borrow a pencil?" is OK. These refer to permission to borrow the pencil.

In common conversation, you will hear "may" or "might," but you will probably hear "can" or "could" more often. These refer to ability rather than permission, which is why my former teachers discouraged using them.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Darkness]

but what is the difference between could and can?

Can you revise my essay? or
Could you revise my essay?

when do you use could and when do u use can?

thanks.

[CP]

"Can you revise my essay?" means "Are you able to revise my essay?" and strictly speaking should be used only to ask whether the person is actually capable of the task, not to request that it be done. However, in conversation, people use the expression as a substitute for "Would you please revise my essay?", the polite way to make the request.

"Could you revise my essay?" means "Would you be able to revise my essay?" but people use this expression as a substitute for "Would you please revise my essay?" also.

I would recommend saying "Would you please revise my essay?" If I were forbidden to say "would you please" and had to pick between "can" and "could," I would pick "could."
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb