Modal Verb Could
Modal auxiliaries or modal verbs have special usages in the English language. We use modal verbs for ability, probability, possibility, permission, request, offer, suggestion, obligation, advice, necessity, or prohibition. Could is one of the modal auxiliaries. If you want to study all modal auxiliaries, visit our site Study English Page.
Could in Grammar
Could is a modal auxiliary
or modal verb that we use for ability, possibility, taking permission, giving
permission, request, suggestion, or offering help. Could is also used in the
second conditional and third conditional.
- Could you please tell me how I can reach the bus station?
- I could see faraway objects when I was young.
Structure of the Modal Verb Could
The modal verb could is
followed by the base form of the verb. We place could where we place other
auxiliary verbs.
Affirmative
The structure of the modal
verb “could” in affirmative sentences is as below:
Subject + Could + Verb
(base form) +……
- He could play when he was healthy.
- She could be at home as it is her rest time.
Negative
In negative, we add the
word “not” to could. Its short form is couldn’t.
Subject + Could/couldn’t +
Verb (base form) +……
- He could not drive when he was 10 years old.
- Today is off; she could not be in her office.
Questions
As per the rules of
questions, we use the modal verb could before the subject in a sentence.
Could + Subject + Verb
(base form) +……
- Could Lisa be at home?
- Could you play football when you were young?
Wh-question word + Can +
Subject + Verb (base form) +….
- When could Lisa be at home?
- What could you play when you were young?
Could Examples
- He could take the exam, but he did not try.
- It could snow today, so we must leave early.
- Could I sit in your seat for a while, please?
- Of course, you could sit in my seat forever.
- Could you lend me the book you have bought recently?
- They could take a loan to invest more in their business.
- Could we have a dinner party for your family tonight?
- If they came to the party, we could meet at the party.
Uses of Could
Could for Ability
Could is a modal verb that
we use for past ability. It means someone or something was able to do something
in the past but not now.
- John could play well when he was 18 years old.
- His eyesight is weak now. He could see faraway things.
- That truck could carry a heavy load when its engine was new.
Could for Permission
Could is also used for
permission whether you want to take permission or give permission.
For Taking Permission
- Could we arrange a party in our class?
- Could I stay at your home for tonight?
- Could I borrow your pen for a while?
For Giving Permission
- Yes, you could arrange a party in your class.
- Yes, you could stay at my home tonight.
- Yes, you could use my pen.
Could for Request
When you want to make a
request, you can use the modal verb could. Remember that requesting with could
is a polite way.
- Could you give me a glass of water?
- Could she leave her office today?
- Could I change my duty hours with you for today?
Could for Possibility
Could is one of the modal
verbs that we use to express possibility.
- He could be there.
- They could reach there on time.
- Lisa could be busy doing her homework.
Could for Suggestion
The modal verb “could" can be used for a suggestion. Study the examples to understand.
- You could rent a car.
- We could study together for the test.
- She could visit her aunt because she is free these days.
Could for Offering Help
You can use the modal verb
could to offer help politely.
- We could accompany you to the bus station.
- Could I help you in managing the party?
- Could I give you my pen for writing the letter?
Could in Second Conditional
The modal verb could is
also used in the second and third conditional.
- If he studied English, he could be a translator.
- If she had applied for the post, she could have got that job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 10 examples of could?
- You could call me.
- John could buy a new car at that time.
- He is not answering; he could be in the meeting.
- Could I use your mobile phone?
- Yes, you can use my mobile phone.
- Could I use your calculator?
- You could search for a new job for yourself.
- I could give you my car to receive your Dad.
- If they came to the party, we could meet at the party.
- If she had come to the party, I could have met her.
Which verb is used after could?
The modal verb could is
followed by the base form of the verb.
- Adela could play the piano.
- They could help you if they wanted.
Can we use could for the future?
Yes, we can use the modal
verb could to show the likelihood of something in the future.
- We can visit the zoo tomorrow.
- I think John could come first in the upcoming running competition.
What is the difference between can and could?
We use can for present ability and could for past ability. Could is used in a polite manner, and can is used commonly. We use “cannot” for prohibition, but we don’t use “could not” for prohibition.
