Can 与 Could 的用法
 
Yang Li:   Hello everyone. I'm Yang Li. 
 

Rob:   And I’m Rob. This is the programme where we answer your questions about the English language.  
 
Yang Li:    是的，现在大家收听的是BBC英语教学为中国听众制作的《你问我答》节目.   So Rob, what can we talk about today?
 
Rob:   Well, we could answer a question from one of our listeners, Ka Wing, who's in Hong Kong. It's about when to use the words can and could, and will or would.  
 
Yang Li:   Very good question! 什么时候使用  can 什么时候使用could, 再有就是何时使用 will 何时使用would? Rob, would you like to answer it? 
 
Rob:    Ok, well I will try, with your help Yang Li. These words are verbs and can have several functions. Let's start with can and could. 
 
Yang Li:    OK. I think we need to hear somebody using these words, don't we?
 
Rob:    Yes we do. Let's ask our friend Finn a question. Hello Finn, what's the best way to learn English without leaving your home? 
 
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Well, you can listen to programmes like this on the radio or the internet. 
 
Yang Li:    You can listen 你可以通过广播或互联网来听收听节目。It's a fact. 这里说的是一种事实，实实在在的。
 
Rob:    Yes. Finn says 'can' because it's something that we can do. You can do it now or in the future. 
 
Yang Li:    OK Finn, have you got any other suggestions for learning English?
 
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Of course! If you have time and some money you could learn English at a night school.
 
Yang Li:   Oh yes. We could learn English in the evening at a night school. 也可以上夜校，不过这要看自己的情况，也就是说有条件的。There is a catch.
 
Rob:   Yes. It's an option or a possibility but in this example, only if we have enough time or money. 
 
Yang Li:   So using the word could implies a possibility 有可能性，但是有条件的。
 
Rob:    It could also imply an impossibility. I could spend my life lying on a beach but I have to go to work to earn some money. And the word could also implies a suggestion or a piece of advice about something that you may like to do.
 
Yang Li:    Could 也可以表示建议或者忠告。
 
Rob:    But hold on! Finn is telling us about things we could do now or in the future. Could is also used as the past form of can. Like this…
 
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When I was a child I could run fast but now I can only walk to the bus stop.
 
Yang Li:    Poor Finn! 小的时候他能跑得特别快，但是现在他只能走着去车站。
 
Rob:    So we use the word could to describe your ability in the past but you need to listen out for the word was or were. 
 
Yang Li:   从这个例句中大家可以看出来  could 用来表达过去的能力。 那么怎么能判断过去时态呢？，注意听动词 was 或者 were ，因为这两个词都表示过去时态。 
 
Rob:    Ok Yang Li, there is one final situation where it's possible to use the word can or could. 
 
Yang Li:  Yes. When we are requesting things; like in a shop for example.
 
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Can I try those shoes on please?
 
Yang Li:  Can I – 我能试一试那双鞋吗? 
 
Rob:   You can also say…
 
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Could I try those shoes on please?
 
Rob:   That means the same thing but saying 'could' is slightly more formal. 
 
Yang Li:  第三个用法就是用can 或could来表示请求。其中could 更为委婉。So Rob, could you explain the other words that Ka Wing asked about please? 
 
Rob:    That was very formal and polite Yang Li! I will try to explain the difference between using will and would. 
 
Yang Li:    下面是will 和would 的用法。 
 
Rob:   Maybe Finn will give us another example. 
 
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I will help you with your English homework!
 
Rob:   Thank you Finn! He used the word will to mean he will do something now or in the future.
 
Yang Li:   Will表示将要做什么，是确定要做的。  
 
Rob:   Will suggests something you will definitely do.   
 
Yang Li:    What about the word would?
 
Rob:  Well, would also means someone will do something but it comes with a condition. 
 
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I would help you with your English homework but you need to buy me dinner first! 
 
Yang Li:  Would表示有条件的。 你请我吃饭我就帮你完成英语作业。His condition was that you buy him dinner if you want his help.  
 
Rob:   Well, I would buy him dinner but I have no money! We can also use would in a more polite way, when we request things. 
 
Yang Li:  Would 还可以用来表达礼貌的请求。Have you got an example Rob?
 
Rob: Yes. Would you help me with my English homework, please? 
 
Yang Li: Of course I will. But could you finish the programme first please? 
 
Rob:   Certainly! Well, I hope we’ve answered Ka Wing's question today. Before we go, let’s remind everyone to visit our website for more Question and Answer of the Week programmes.
 
Yang Li:  是的，在我们的网页上还有更多英语教学节目，欢迎大家查阅， 我们的网址是 www.bbcukchina.com. Bye!
 
Rob:    Bye bye.
 
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And bye bye from me!