English Grammar
Ability & Permission
can / could / may + base verb
"Can" and "could" express ability or permission — present and past. "May" is more formal. "Could you help me?" sounds politer than "Can you help me?" — a distinction native speakers use instinctively.
Real Examples from Native Speakers
"Can you sign it for me, please? Where"
Pranking A Friend With An Embarrassing Old Photo
How it works
Formula
can / could / may + base verb
This page combines the textbook rule with real-world English — every example is an unscripted clip from a real native speaker. You're hearing how this grammar point sounds in real life, not in a classroom.