I Can Hear / I Could Hear
Modals: Can / Could / Be Able To
“Can”:
“Can” is used in the following situations:
- Possibility or Permission: If something is possible or allowed.
- Ability: If we have the ability to do it.
Examples:
I can see the river from my room.
Can I use your mobile? My mobile is broken down!
How many languages can you speak? – I can speak 3.
I can help you if you like.
Negative:
Can not = Can’t
Examples:
I’m afraid I can’t join the chess club this Saturday.
I can’t sleep well.
He can’t speak English well.
“Could”:
“Could” is used as the past form of “can.” It can also express possibility.
Examples:
I could see the river from my room.
As far as I remember, I could ride a bike when I was 7.
I couldn’t hear my teacher well at the back.
When I was 15, I could run very fast.
“Could” can also express possibility:
He could get high points in the exam.
I could get there at any time.
The story she told could be true.
I think the weather could change.
As he is tired, he could sleep for hours.
“Could Have” + Verb 3:
“Could have” + verb 3 is used to express unrealized possibilities or past possibilities that didn’t happen.
Examples:
As he was tired, he could have slept for a day.
It could have been better.
I could have studied for English last week, but I didn’t.
I think everything is good. It couldn’t have been better.