Could

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make suggestions and requests.
"Could" is also commonly used in conditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."
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
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.
Negative Forms You can
Positive Forms
Modal Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = also
1. = Present 2. = Past 3. = Future
Future use:

1. John could be the one who stole 1. Mary couldn't be the one who
the money. stole the money.
could 2. John could have been the one 2. Mary couldn't have been the one might,
possibility who stole the money. who stole the money. may
3. John could go to jail for stealing 3. Mary couldn't possibly go to jail
the money. for the crime.

1. Even if I had more time, I

1. If I had more time, I could travel couldn't travel around the world.
could around the world. 2. Even if I had had more time, I
condition 2. If I had had more time, I could couldn't have traveled around the
al have traveled around the world. world.
of can 3. If I had more time this winter, I 3. Even if I had more time this
could travel around the world. winter, I couldn't travel around the
world.

1. NO PRESENT FORM
could 2. You could have spent your
suggestio vacation in Hawaii. NO NEGATIVE FORMS
n 3. You could spend your vacation in
Hawaii.

I could run ten miles in my twenties. I couldn't run more than a mile in
I could speak Chinese when I was a my twenties.
kid. I couldn't speak Swahili.
could
"Could" cannot be used in positive "Could" can be used in negative be
pastabilit
sentences in which you describe a sentences in which you describe a ableto
y
momentary or one-time ability. momentary or one-time ability.
Yesterday, I could lift the couch by Yesterday, I couldn't lift the couch
myself. NotCorrect by myself. Correct

Couldn't he come with us?

Could I have something to drink?
could Couldn't you help me with this for can,
Could I borrow your stapler?
politerequ just a second? may,
Requests usually refer to the near
est Requests usually refer to the near might
future.
future.

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.

In general, modal verbs syntax is the same for all:

Affirmative
Subject + [can/could+ verb(simple form)] + Complement

Negative sentences
Subject + [can't/couldn't+ verb(simple form)] + Complement

Question form
Question word + [Can/Could + verb (simple form)] + Complement
USE

A) Ability ( Can : present , Could : past )

To express an ability we use can/could

- Sheila can play the guitar very well
- When I was a child I could play all day.
- Greg can't cook at all.
- Can you speak French?
- Pete could sing when he was in college.

Note:
Remember that when you talk about ability, can is used for present and could or past abilities

B)Possibility: (Can = Could)

When you express possibility can = could.
- I think it (can/could) rain.
- I (can/could) buy a new car because I have a good job.

C) Other uses:
Can - to ask permission: Can I go to the Bathroom? (May : formal)
Can / Could you bring me some Coffee? : Ask Favor (Pedirfavors)

Write the phrases in brackets in their correct forms into the gaps.

Example: Yesterday I _____________ a film, today I can't. (can/to watch)

Answer: Yesterday I could watch a film, today I can't.

1) Last week we swimming, this week we can't. (can/to go)

2) Maybe the Smiths a new house next year. (can/to build)
3) If you try hard, you your examinations. (can/to pass)
4) When I was five, I . (not/can/to swim)
5) Dennis the trumpet after four months. (can/to play)
6) Luke has passed his driving test, now he a car. (can/to drive)
7) For three weeks I to him on the phone. (not/can/to speak)
8) Alex his homework when his desk is in such a mess. (not/can/to do)
9) They were so busy, they me a text message. (not/can/to write)
10) Lisa her dress. She can wear it again. (can/to clean)

Se utiliza cuando queremos decir que alguien es capaz de algo, que puede. Can y Could pueden ser
reemplazados en ciertos casos por esta forma verbal.
To be ableto - ser capaz de, poder
La expresión "to be ableto" posee un significado similar a la de los modales "can" y "could", sin
embargo no es un auxiliar modal dado que puede conjugarse en todos los tiempos verbales.

To be ableto + infinitive: (capacidad, aptitud) saber, poder, ser capaz de

Can + base form: (capacidad, aptitud) poder, saber, a veces no se traduce

El uso de "be ableto" en el Presente Simple (am/is/are ableto) es poco frecuente aunque posible. Para
este tiempo verbal, el empleo de "can" es más común.

Helen can speak five languages fluently.

Helen puede hablar cinco idiomas con fluidez.
Helen is able to speak five languages fluently.(poco común)
Helen puede hablar cinco idiomas con fluidez.
Can you hear me well?
¿Me puedes oír bien?
Are you able to hear me well?(poco común)
¿Me puedes oír bien?
"Be ableto" se emplea más a menudo en combinación con otros auxiliares.

You will be able to get tickets to the concert if you arrive at the box office early.
Podrás conseguir entradas para el recital si llegas a la boletería temprano.
Will you be able to come with us?
¿Podrás venir con nosotros?
The kids have not been able to study much today.
Los niños no han sido capaces de estudiar mucho hoy.
Ms. Peterson has been able to contact Mr. Hope this morning.
La Sra. Peterson pudo contactar al Sr. Hope esta mañana.
The police were finally able to solve the mystery.
La policía pudo finalmente resolver el misterio.
Jim was not able to meet Richard yesterday.
Jim no pudo encontrarse con Richard ayer.
Mom had been able to clean the house before we got home.
Mamá había podido limpiar la casa antes de que llegáramos a casa.
After I had been able to open the box, I discovered that it was empty.
Depués de que había podido abrir la caja, descubrí que estaba vacía.
If Betsy danced every day, she would be able to become a professional dancer.
Si Betsy bailara todos los días, podría llegar a ser una bailarina profesional.
Peter would be able to speak Italian if he lived in Rome for a year.
Peter sería capaz de hablar italiano si viviera en Roma durante un año.
Was/wereableto&Could

Wasableto - pude (Indica una capacidad específica para realizar un acto que existió en el pasado en
un momento determinado.)
Could - podía, pude (Se refiere a una aptitud o capacidad general que existía en el pasado pero que ya
no existe más.)

That soccer player was able to score nine goals last season.
Ese jugador de fútbol pudo marcar nueve goles la temporada pasada.
Our team was able to beat yours in the World Cup.
Nuestro equipo pudo derrotar al tuyo en la Copa del Mundo.
We were all able to pass the test last week.
Todos pudimos aprobar el examen la semana pasada.
At the conference, the speaker could answer all the questions.
En la conferencia, el orador pudo contestar todas las preguntas.
When Grace was five, she could walk on her hands.
Cuando Grace tenía cinco años, podía caminar con las manos.
When David was a boy, he could run very fast.
Cuando David era un niño, podía correr muy rápido.
En las oraciones negativas no existe diferencia entre el uso de "could" y "was/wereableto".

The climbers could not/were not able to reach the summit yesterday.
Los escaladores no pudieron llegar a la cima ayer.
Tom could not/was not able to win the contest last year.
Tom no pudo ganar el concurso el año pasado.
Tomanageto + infinitive - lograr, poder (no es un auxiliar modal)

The children managed to reach the tree top.

Los niños lograron subir a la copa del árbol.
They managed to persuade us to travel around Europe with them.
Lograron convencernos para que viajemos con ellos por Europa.
How did you manage to get a round trip ticket to New York two days before Christmas?
¿Cómo lograste conseguir un pasaje de ida y vuelta a New York dos días antes de Navidad?