Grammar · Free lesson
Can and could: talk about skills now and before
Maya talks about music lessons. She has piano skills now, and she also remembers what she knew how to do as a child. The time helps her choose can or could.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
For a skill now, use can + base verb: Maya can play the piano. For general ability in the past, use could: Maya could play simple songs at six. Keep play unchanged after either modal.
Choose the time, then keep the main verb simple.
Can describes current ability in these examples. Could describes a general skill someone had during a past period. After both, use the base verb without to or -s: can play, could play. The modal form stays the same with I, she and they.
One skill at two times
Maya can play the piano.
Maya could play simple songs at six.
She can play has neither cans nor plays. Change the modal for the time meaning, not the form of play.
Describe a childhood skill
Choose a past period
at six
Name the general ability
could play simple songs
Put the person first
Maya could play simple songs at six.
Try it now
Choose the ability pattern.
Read all answers and explanations
State a current skill as a fact: “Maya ___ play the piano now.”
canCan plus the base verb play states the skill. Can does not take -s, and it does not need to before play.
Describe a general skill during childhood: “At six, Maya ___ play simple songs.”
couldCould describes the general ability in that past period. Keep play without to.
Complete: “They could ___ music when they were children.”
readCould takes the base verb read. Neither -ing nor to belongs in this simple ability pattern.
Put it into practice
Fix the skill description.
Keep can and the meaning of a current skill. Correct the form of play.
She can plays the piano.
See a model answer
She can play the piano.
Do not transfer the ordinary she plays ending to a verb after can.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does could mean the person has lost the skill?
Not by itself. It places the skill in the past. Add a present sentence if you want to say whether the skill continues.
Maya could play at six, and she can still play now.
Is Could you help me? about past ability?
Usually no. It is a polite request about help now or later. Look at what the sentence is doing, not only at the word could.
Could you help me move this chair?
Take it into your day
Can play describes a current skill; could play can describe a general past skill. Do not add to or -s after either modal.
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Build a clearer system for modal verbs.
This is one use of can and could. The English Grammar and English Speaking course includes Modal Verb – Can, Could through Learn it, Review it, Use it and Practice it lessons, within broader grammar and speaking study.
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