English Course: Can & Could - Ability and Requests English Course: "Can" & "Could" Elementary Level - Ability and Requests Part 1: Talking About Ability A. Using "Can" for Present Ability We use "can" to talk about something we are able to do now (in the present). Formula: Subject + can + base verb "I can speak English." "She can swim very fast." "They can play the piano." "He can't drive a car." ( Can't is the short form of cannot ) B. Using "Could" for Past Ability We use "could"...

  Course 7: Spelling & Pronunciation Tips Course 7: Spelling & Pronunciation Tips Master the art of English spelling and pronunciation with these practical strategies and insights Module 1: Why is English So Tricky? English spelling and pronunciation can feel like deciphering a secret code. Understanding the history helps explain why. The Great Vowel Shift (1400-1700) This was a major change in how long vowels were pronounced. The spelling had largely standardized before this shift, so our writing system preserves the old pronunciations, while our speech uses the new ones. Etymology (Word Origins) English borrows words from many languages, often keeping the original spelling: ...