Confusing English Words challenge 4
Some words in English can be confusing for learners.
This one is a bit different - it is to practice the Modals "Can" and "Could".
Both native Spanish and English speakers may answer - but write both Spanish and English sentences.
I would appreciate some help in checking the Spanish sentences.
I will "accept" the best effort after about a week
This is not easy. Every attempt will get a vote.
NOTE - we need sentences in both Languages that illustrate how the the following are used.
a. can
b. can
c. could
d. could
e. could
Futher explanation as to the different meanings may be given
Please do not suggest new word pairs.
Update I accepted Laura's attempt.
Have a look at my "lesson" below.
Chau for now
6 Answers
I'm giving a try here. Corrections and suggestions are welcolme!
Can you play the guitar? - ¿Sabes tocar la guitarra?
or ...are you able to play... ? This is often incorrectly translated into Spanish as "¿puedes tocar la guitarra?" For abilitities like playing an instrument or speaking a language we'd preferently use the verb "saber"
The sea can get rough here with almost no warning- El mar puede ponerse muy bravo sin aviso alguno.
Here can is expressing general or theoretical possibility.
You could be right- Quizás tengas razón.
Could is also expressing possibility.
Could I get a coffee, please?- ¿Me pone un café, por favor?
This is a polite way to ask for a coffee that shouldn't be translated literally into Spanish.
I couldn't remember her name in that moment- No me acordaba de su nombre en aquel momento/ No era capaz de recordar su nombre en aquel instante.
Could expresses here ability for doing something in a determinate moment.
I can swim very well.
Puedo nadar muy bien.
I can't hear you.
No puedo oírte.
Could you bring me a fork for my salad, please?
Por favor, ¿me puedes traer un tenedor para mi ensalada?
My Spanish teacher speaks too softly. So I am going to ask him, "Could you speak louder, please?"
Mi profesor de español hable demasiado suave. Así que voy a preguntarle, "¿Podrías hablar más fuerte, por favor?"
Could you tell me how to get to Columbus Avenue?
¿Me podría decir cómo llegar a la avendia Colón?
Okay, maybe a native Spanish speaker will collaborate with me. I think I can give a few good examples in English but my Spanish is far from flawless.
CAN: I can do it today. Puedo hacerlo hoy ...this means that I have the ability to do it today.
COULD: Could you do it today? ¿Podrías hacerlo hoy? ...this question asks if you would do it, or would be able to do it.
COULD: I could not do it yesterday. No pude hacerlo ayer. ...this means that I was unable to do it yesterday.
The whole issue is complicated by the fact that, in the United States, the words "can" and "could" are often used interchangeably in the present tense. It's colloquial but not correct. You will also hear "could" to make polite requests, meaning "would you be able to?". "Could" is also used as the past tense of "can".
Can you pass the milk? - ¿Puedes pasar la leche?
Can you see the board? - ¿Puedes ver la pizarra?
I could meet you later. - Podría encontrarte luego. (not sure if this one is completely correct)
Could you help me with my homework? - ¿Podrías ayudarme con mi tarea?
Could this be what you are looking for? - ¿Podría ser esto lo que buscas?
Thank you all for participating - here is something I hope will help you if you are learning English.
Can – Could
These words are Modals and can be used in different ways.
Estas palabras son verbos modales y se pueden utilizar de diferentes maneras.
Can
“I can do it.” "Puedo hacerlo".
I am able to do it. / I have the ability to do it – a fact / un hecho
“I can do it.” may be used to say…………. “I have permission to do it” Tengo permiso para hacerlo
“Can I do it?” Question
“Am I able to do it?” ¿Soy capaz de hacerlo? "
Will you permit me to do it? ¿Me permitirías hacerlo?
Could
“I could do it now” "Podría hacerlo ahora"
= I have the opportunity to do it now. / I might do it now.
“I could do it yesterday.”
= I was able to it yesterday. "Podía hacerlo ayer".
“I could do it tomorrow” = I have the opportunity/ ability to do it tomorrow
Tengo la oportunidad / capacidad de hacerlo mañana
Also
I might do it tomorrow. Lo quizás haga mañana.
“Could I do it?” Question
Similar to = “Will you permit me to do it? “Am I able to do it?”
¿Me permitirías hacerlo?
Could have (Modal + present perfect verb puts the modal into the past).
“I could have done it”
Pude haberlo hecho /
Sometime in the past I had the ability/ opportunity to do it
En el pasado tuve la capacidad/oportunidad de hacerlo
(maybe I did do it / maybe I didn’t do it) I do not remember.
“Could I have done it?” Question
Is it possible that I was able to do it? / or / Is it possible that I did do it?.
¿Es posible que yo lo hice?
For learners of English remember that in all the above English sentences just change the pronoun.
Para los estudiantes de inglés, en cuanto a todas las frases de arriba hay que cambiar el pronombre o el Modal.
Examples:
I can do it. - I could do it – I will do it – I would do it – I shall do it – I should do it –
I may do it – I might do it – I used to do it – I ought to do it – I must do it.
You can do it
He can do it.
She can do it.
We can do it.
They can do it.
| a | Learning Spanish can be very challenging. | Aprender español puede muy desafiar. |
| b | While fishing, I usually can not see the fish under the water. | Mientras pascando, me normalmente no poder ver el pez debajo del agua. |
| c | The dessert was so rich that I could not finish it. | El postre era tan dulce que no pude lo terminar. |
| d | When I was younger, I could run for miles. | Cuándo fui más joven, pude correr por las millas. |
| e | I could bake chicken tonight for supper, honey! | ¡Puedo hornea pollo esta noche por la cena, cielo! |
