Skip to main content

Could

Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.
Modal UsePositive Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future		Negative Forms
1. = Present   2. = Past   3. = Future		You can also use:
could
possibility		1. John could be the one who stole the money.2. John could have been the one who stole the money.
3. John could go to jail for stealing the money. 		1. Mary couldn't be the one who stole the money.2. Mary couldn't have been the one who stole the money.
3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail for the crime.		might,
may
could
conditional
of can		1. If I had more time, I could travel around the world.2. If I had had more time, I could have traveled around the world.
3. If I had more time this winter, I could travel around the world.		1. Even if I had more time, I couldn't travel around the world.2. Even if I had had more time, I couldn't have traveled around the world.
3. Even if I had more time this winter, I couldn't travel around the world.
could
suggestion		1. NO PRESENT FORM2. You could have spent your vacation in Hawaii.
3. You could spend your vacation in Hawaii. 		 NO NEGATIVE FORMS
could
past ability		I could run ten miles in my twenties.I could speak Chinese when I was a kid.
"Could" cannot be used in positive sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
Yesterday, I could lift the couch by myself. Not Correct		I couldn't run more than a mile in my twenties.I couldn't speak Swahili.
"Could" can be used in negative sentences in which you describe a momentary or one-time ability.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch by myself. Correct		be able to
could
polite request		Could I have something to drink?Could I borrow your stapler?
Requests usually refer to the near future.		Couldn't he come with us?Couldn't you help me with this for just a second?
Requests usually refer to the near future.		can,
may,
might
REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"
"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen. "Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens.
Examples:
  • Jack might not have the key. Maybe he does not have the key.
  • Jack could not have the key. It is impossible that he has the key.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Irregular Verbs List

Irregular Verbs List This is a list of some irregular verbs in English. Of course, there are many others, but these are the more common irregular verbs. See also  regular verbs list V1 Base Form V2 Past Simple V3 Past Participle awake awoke awoken be was, were been beat beat beaten become became become begin began begun bend bent bent bet bet bet bid bid bid bite bit bitten blow blew blown break broke broken bring brought brought broadcast broadcast broadcast build built built burn burned/burnt burned/burnt buy bought bought catch caught caught choose chose chosen come came come cost cost cost cut cut cut dig dug dug do did done draw drew drawn dream dreamed/dreamt dreamed/dreamt drive drove driven drink drank drunk eat ate eaten fall fell fallen feel felt felt fight fought fought find found found fly flew flown forget forgot forgotten forgive forgave forgiven freeze froze frozen get got got ( sometimes  gotten) give gave given go ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discourse Markers

Discourse markers are words and expressions used to show how discourse is constructed. We use different discourse markers in speaking and writing. In speaking, the following discourse markers are very common: - anyway, like, right, you know, fine, now, so, I mean, good, oh, well, as I say, great, okay, mind you, for a start. Discourse markers to order or sequence what we say: - and, in general, second, to sum up, and then, in the end, secondly, what’s more, first (of all), last of all, so, well, firstly, next, lastly, for a start, on top of that, third(ly). Discourse markers as responses: - absolutely, fine, okay, wow, (all) right, good, quite (more formal), yeah, certainly, great, really, yes, definitely, I see, sure, exactly, no, wonderful. Discourse markers showing attitude: - actually, frankly, I think, (I’m) sorry, admittedly, hopefully, literally, surprisingly, amazingly, honestly, naturally, thankfully, basically, ideally, no doubt, to...
Post a Comment
Read more