When you’re talking about the possibility of something happening in the future, use can if something is very likely to happen. Could, on the other hand, should be used for things that have an equal chance of not happening. AOL: How Many Pounds Of Deli Meat You Should Buy To Make Sandwiches For A Crowd How Many Pounds Of Deli Meat You Should Buy To Make Sandwiches For A Crowd AOL: Is It Cheaper To Buy Meat From A Butcher Or Grocery Store?

Understanding the Context

Is It Cheaper To Buy Meat From A Butcher Or Grocery Store? AOL: 5 Reasons You Should Buy Meat From A Butcher Instead Of Costco Costco certainly has its meat enthusiasts, and why not? The big box retailer sells beefy items like whole strip loins for considerably less than you'd pay per steak, and boneless pork loins for ... 5 Reasons You Should Buy Meat From A Butcher Instead Of Costco Yahoo: The Practical Reason To Buy Meat At A Butcher Over Costco We use could to ask for permission.

Key Insights

Could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask you a personal question? We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.) They could be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.) We use can to make general statements about what is possible: It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.) Learn 8 expert ways to use could in English—past abilities, polite requests, regrets, and more—with real examples and clear practice tips.

Final Thoughts