could is the past of can (power) and it's a modal verb (modal verb) which means could; could; it could.
The verb could is used to indicate:
- Possibility;
- Ability/ability;
- Permission;
- Order.
when to use the verb could?
could is used to express idea of ability/ability, possibility, permission, and request.
It is one of the most important modal verbs in the English language.
the modal verb could it has the function of helping the main verb in the sentence.
as the verb could is the verb can in the past, most of the time could is used to reference past actions.
Examples:
- I could ride a bike when I was 3. (I could/could ride a bike when I was 3 years old) - CAPACITY
- It could have been worse. (It could have been worse.) - POSSIBILITY
- you could talk to the director. (You could talk to the director.) - PERMISSION
- Could you do me for? (Could you do me a favor?) - REQUEST
Note that the use of the modal verb could it has a direct impact on the meaning of the main verbs. In the first sentence, for example, without the use of could the main verb (ride) just means “to walk from” and not “to walk from”.
how to use the verb could?
As it is a modal verb, could is always accompanied by a main verb in the infinitive without the I'm.
Example: he could dance samba. (He could dance samba.)
In the sentence above, the main verb in the infinitive is I'm dancing, however, we removed the I'm and we only use dance.
could can be used in sentences affirmatives, negative and interrogatives.
Look at the table below and learn how to use the verb could in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms. The main verb used as an example is the verb I'm dancing (to dance).
| AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | INTERROGATIVE |
|---|---|---|
| i could dance you could dance he/she/it could dance we could dance you could dance they could dance |
I couldn't/couldnt dance You could not/couldn’t dance He/she/it could not/couldn’t dance We could not/couldn’t dance You could not/couldn’t dance they could not/couldn’t dance |
Could I dance? Could you dance? Could he/she/it dance? Could we dance? Could you dance? Could they dance? |
IMPORTANT
- If so, we use the could for all people, including he/she/it. the rule of Simple Present which requires the addition of the –s for third-person inflections is not applied here.
- To form sentences in negative form, we can use could not or the contracted form couldn’t. The meaning of both forms is the same.
- When making sentences with could in the interrogative form, just change the position of this modal verb in the sentence: unlike what happens in the affirmative, in the interrogative the verb could must be positioned before the subject.
- If we try to make a comparison with the verb tenses of the Portuguese language, could performs so much the function of the Past Perfect how much of the Past Future.
- When used in interrogative sentences, the could usually expresses the idea that the sender of the message is asking a question in a kind way; polite. Example: Could you do me for? (Could you do me a favor?)
Video
Watch the video below and learn tips on how to use the modal verb could.
Exercises
Do the exercises below and test your knowledge of the use of the verb could.
1. ________ you _______?
a) Could - to drive
b) Could - drive
c) Could - driving
d) Could - be able to drive
Correct alternative: b) Could – drive
2. ________ I ________?
a) Could - to go
b) Could - go
c) Could - going
d) Could - be able to go
Correct alternative: b) Could – go
3. _____________ when she called. I was too busy.
a) I couldn’t leave
b) I could leave
c) Could I leave
d) Could he leave
Correct alternative: a) I couldn’t leave
4. Instead of going out, we ____________ home and watch a movie.
a) she could leave
b) could not stay
c) couldn't stay
d) she could stay
Correct alternative: d) could stay
5. She _____________ because she had a broken ankle.
a) she could study
b) could not read
c) couldn’t dance
d) could dance
Correct alternative: c) couldn’t dance
Learn more about English verbs:
- How to use the modal might?
- Past Continuous exercises with commented feedback
- English auxiliary verbs
- Phrasal verbs
- Should
- would
- ought to
