I can do it vs I could do it

Both "I can do it" and "I could do it" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I can do it" is used to express present ability or permission, while "I could do it" is used to express past ability or possibility. The choice between them depends on the tense and the context of the situation.

Last updated: April 15, 2024 • 1215 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express present ability or permission.

"I can do it"

Use "I can do it" to express that you have the ability or permission to do something in the present moment.

Examples:

I can do it for you.
Can you help me? - Yes, I can do it.
I can do it if you show me how.
I can do it better than anyone else.
I can do it whenever you need.

Show examples from the web [+]

"If I can do it I will do it, if I can't, I can't": a study of adaptive self-regulatory strategies following lower limb amputation · Authors · Affiliation.

Alternatives:

I am able to do it.
I have the ability to do it.
I am capable of doing it.
I possess the skills to do it.
I am allowed to do it.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express past ability or possibility.

"I could do it"

Use "I could do it" to express that you had the ability to do something in the past or to indicate a possibility in the past.

Examples:

I could do it when I was younger.
I could do it if I tried.
I could do it if I had more time.
I could do it better than anyone else.
I could do it, but I chose not to.

Show examples from the web [+]

Title: If I could do it all again, I'd pick Georgetown twice. Author: Gianna P. (MSB'18). Date Published: March 28, 2018. Share Share this on Facebook Share ...
Jan 16, 2020 ... "You motherfuckers could Never do it like I could do it, don't even try it, You'll look stupid, do not pursue it, don't ever In your life ...
Jul 30, 2020 ... I can do it tomorrow. I could do it tomorrow... (...but I don't want to, ...but I'm busy, etc.) If you want to use can in the past tense, I ...
Jan 8, 2019 ... Kevin Ezell: If I could do it over. By Kevin Ezell. If you are pastoring with your whole heart and really going after it each day, it is easy ...
I could do it I didn't have to stay here ? Is it the correct tense ? Thank you, Claude.
I wish that I could do it all over again! My stay in Pittsburgh and my experiences at the University of Pittsburgh have created life long experiences. It is ...

Alternatives:

I was able to do it.
I had the ability to do it.
I had the capability to do it.
It was possible for me to do it.
I might have been able to do it.

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I can do it vs I could do it

"I can do it"

"I could do it"

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