Why English Speakers Say "Can" Vs "Could" For Requests And Why "Could" Sounds More Polite Even Though It'S Technically Past Tense | English, Actually episode artwork

EPISODE · May 23, 2026 · 15 MIN

Why English Speakers Say "Can" Vs "Could" For Requests And Why "Could" Sounds More Polite Even Though It'S Technically Past Tense | English, Actually

from English, Actually · host Galapptic Podcast Network

Today on English, Actually: Why English speakers say "can" vs "could" for requests and why "could" sounds more polite even though it's technically past tense. Real English for real life — idioms, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary explained the way a native speaker actually uses them. Try Audible free for 30 days + get 1 free audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/b?node=18145289011&linkCode=ll2&tag=moneymadesi02-20&linkId=f28f07b5ac8a9289388894618851031d&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

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Why English Speakers Say "Can" Vs "Could" For Requests And Why "Could" Sounds More Polite Even Though It'S Technically Past Tense | English, Actually

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