Unit 29: COULD
Could is a modal verb. Unit 27 shows you how to make correct sentences with it. This unit shows you when you can use it.
Possibility
NOW
EXAMPLE: I suppose he could be at home.
FUTURE
EXAMPLE: It could become a big problem.
PAST
EXAMPLE: Surely it could not have got lost in the mail.
IMAGINARY
EXAMPLE: If I had more money, I could buy a car.
IMAGINARY PAST
EXAMPLE: I did my best. I could not have tried any harder.
NOTICE: also may (Unit 30); also might (Unit 30)
NOTICE: for more on imagining, see Unit 86
Asking for
HELP
EXAMPLES:
Please could you send me some information about the course.
Could you lend me some money?
NOTICE: also can (Unit 28); also will (Unit 31)
PERMISSION
EXAMPLE: Could I possibly come and see you next week?
NOTICE: also can (Unit 28); also may (Unit 30)
Past tense of can
ABILITY
EXAMPLE: We could not find a seat on the train.
PERMISSION
EXAMPLE: In those days, you could drive without a licence.
POSSIBILITY
EXAMPLE: At that time, you could live like a king on twenty dollars a day.
NOTICE:
Luckily, I could get in by the back door. It was possible.
Luckily, I was able to get in by the back door. And I did.
also be able to (Unit 36)
NOTICE:
We also use could (NOT can) in sentences with a past tense verb before the modal (Unit 63).
EXAMPLES:
They wanted to know if I could help them.
He said that he could not come on Saturday.
