Categories: Grammar

Modal Verbs – “COULD”

MODAL VERBS —– “COULD”

“COULD” is one of the most used modal verbs in English. “COULD” is an auxiliary verb ( modal auxiliary verb ).

It can be used to express;

Ability
Possibility
Permission
Request
Suggestion

General Structure of “COULD” in a Sentence

POSITIVE FORM (+) : Subject + COULD + Verb ( first form of the verb )

NEGATIVE FORM (-) : Subject + COULD + NOT ( CAN’T ) + Verb ( first form of the verb )

QUESTION FORM (?) : COULD+ Subject + Verb ( first form of the verb )

Examples:

I could say something. ( positive form )
I could not ( couldn’t ) say something. ( negative form )
Could I say something? ( question form )

Contraction for ” COULD NOT “;

could not –> couldn’t Ex: I couldn’t speak to Mr. Big.

Not:

The negative form “couldn’t” is generally used in spoken English and “could not” is generally used in written English.

Using ” COULD “

“COULD and/or COULDN’T” is used as the past tense of “CAN and/or CAN’T“.

1. It is used to express that someone is able to do something in the past. ( Ability in the Past)

Examples:

I could speak four languages when I was younger.
She could not ( couldn’t ) drive a car.
He could play football well when he was a kid.
We could not ( couldn’t ) get a job at those times.

2. It is used to express that something is possible in the past. ( Possibility in the Past )

Examples:

A lot of crime could be prevented.
This new method could be an important step in success.
I could call you anytime.

3. It is used in a question, which is not a real question, to ask somebody to do something in a polite way. “COULD” is used as a more formal and polite form of “CAN”. ( Polite Request )

Examples:

Could you lend me this book?
Could you tell me where the post office is, please?
Could you turn that music down a little, please?
Could you please explain this to me one more time?

4. It is also used to ask or give permission for something. “COULD” is used as a more formal and polite form of “CAN”. ( Polite Permission )

Examples:

Could I take your book, please?
Could I please use your computer?
Excuse me, could I just ask you something?
Could we go home now?

5. It is used for making a suggestion. ( Suggestion )

Examples:

If you want,we could go out for dinner after school?
You could always call me every day of the week if it is necessary.
You could go out for relax.
I could help you with Spanish if you are interested.

ATTENTION:

For ” COULD ” AS A CONDITIONAL FORM OF “CAN”;

When we are talking about past time in conditionals, we use “could” instead of “can”.

Examples:

If you called me, I could find you some suggestion.
I could visit many places if I had more money.
Even if I had more time, I couldn’t study hard.

For ” COULD + HAVE + V3 “;

1. It is used to express a possiblity in the past.

Examples:

I can’t my key. Where could I have put it?
They were lucky because they could have died but they didn’t.
The computer is closed. The students could have turned it off.
Where is Susan? I don’t know she could have fallen asleep.

2. It is used to express unrealised past ability. It means that someone has ability to do something but she/he didn’t try to do it. We can say that it is a form of critism.

Examples: