Scribd
Upload
536 views20 pages

English 3: Could-Couldn'T

This document provides examples and explanations for using the modal verbs "could" and "couldn't" to talk about past ability and possibility. It notes that "could" expresses possibility, past ability, suggestions, and requests, while "couldn't" is used to talk about inability in the past. Examples are given showing "could" and "couldn't" used with different tenses. The document emphasizes that an infinitive verb without "to" follows "could" and "couldn't" when talking about past ability. It also explains that questions are formed by changing the order of "could" and the subject.

Uploaded by

Jenesse Rodr�guez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
536 views20 pages

English 3: Could-Couldn'T

This document provides examples and explanations for using the modal verbs "could" and "couldn't" to talk about past ability and possibility. It notes that "could" expresses possibility, past ability, suggestions, and requests, while "couldn't" is used to talk about inability in the past. Examples are given showing "could" and "couldn't" used with different tenses. The document emphasizes that an infinitive verb without "to" follows "could" and "couldn't" when talking about past ability. It also explains that questions are formed by changing the order of "could" and the subject.

Uploaded by

Jenesse Rodr�guez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

English 3

COULD- COULDN’T
"Could" is a modal verb used to express possibility or past ability as well as to
make suggestions and requests.

Examples:
● Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. possibility
● Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. past ability
● You could see a movie or go out to dinner. suggestion
● Could I use your computer to email my boss? request
● We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this weekend. conditional
I could ride a bike
I couldn’t drive
Examples
I could swim when I was four.
I couldn’t ride a bike when I was three.
He could walk when he was two.
Remember!
We use ‘could’ and ‘couldn’t’ to talk about our abilities in the past.
She could play chess when she was seven. (years old)
He could read when he was five.
I couldn’t run when I was a baby.
Be careful!
After ‘could’ and ‘couldn’t’ we use the infinitive without ‘to’ (base form).
I could make a cake when I was six.
My mum couldn’t swim when she was a child.
I couldn’t speak English before I went to school.
could
couldn’t
She could visit her grandma

They could play in the park

we could eat a lot of food

you could watch a movie in the cimena

they could drive a red car

you could buy shoes

The dog could run in the park


*could I:
request
permission to
perform an
action

*could you:
asking someone
to do
something
Modals – 'could' and 'couldn't'

We can use could and couldn't to talk about abilities in the past.

● She couldn't ride a bike when she was three.

● I could swim when I was four.

● He could walk when he was two.


COULD AND
How to use them
COULDN’T IN THE
Use the infinitive without to after could and couldn't.
PAST TENSE OF CAN
● I couldn't run when I was a baby.

● My mum couldn't swim when she was a child.


AND CAN’T
● We could read when we were five.

● They couldn't speak English before they went to school.

For questions, change the order of could and the person.

● Could you play chess last year? Yes, I could.

● Could your dad drive a car when he was young? No, he couldn't.

● What could you do when you were four?


Instructions:
Write sentences with could and couldn’t
Example: When I was 8 years old I could play with my dolls but I
couldn’t send emails.

When I was 5 years old…

When I was 7 years old..

When I was 15 years old…

Three years ago…

One year ago...

You might also like