rogative sentences in which a request is expressed, and in negative sentences where it expresses prohibition.2: You can use my car. Can I use your car? You can t use my car today. 2: Ви можете використовувати мій автомобіль. Я можу використовувати Ваш автомобіль? Сьогодні Ви не можете використовувати мій автомобіль.this meaning can is combined with the simple infinitive.form could with reference to the present is found only in interrogative sentences in which it expresses a more polite request.3: Could I use your car? 3: Я міг би використовувати Ваш автомобіль?
The form could is found in reported speech (ie in accordance with the rules of the sequence of tenses) .4: He said that I could use his car. 5: Він сказав що я міг би взяти його машину. ol>
Improbability
Example 1: It can t be true. 1: Це не може бути правдою.
In this meaning can is found only in negative sentences, which are often emotionally colored. Depending on the time reference, this can is also used with different forms of the infinitive.2: He can t be really ill. 2: Він не може бути дійсно хворим.
Example 3: She can t be telling lies. 3: Вона не може брехати.
Example 4: He can t have said it. 4: Він не може сказати це.
Example 5: She can t have been at home all this time. 5: Вона не могла бути вдома весь цей час.
Could is also used in this way making the statement less categorical6: It couldn t be true. 6: Це не могло бути правдою.
Example 7: She couldn t be telling lies. 7: Вона не могла брехати.
Example 8: He couldn t have said it. 8: Він не міг сказати це.
Can and could followed by different forms of the infinitive, are found in special questions where they are used for emotional coloring (to express puzzlement, impatience, etc.) .9: What can (could) he mean? 9: Щоб це могло означати? p align="justify"> It can be rendered in Russian as: Що, власне, він має на увазі? is seen from the above examples, the form could referring to present is sometimes clearly opposed to can in that it expresses unreality whereas can expresses reality. This may be observed in the following meanings: - He can speak English. He could speak English if necessary. p align="justify"> Він може говорити на Англійському. Він міг би говорити на Англійській, якщо необхідно. p align="justify"> possibility due to circumstances - You can get the book from the library. You сould get the book from the library if necessary. p align="j...
