Grammar Modal Verb: Could   The modal verb Could is the past tense of the modal Can and it is used to indicate ability, request, right, capability, skill or probability. It is more formal and polite than Can.   Affirmative Interrogative Negative Contraction I could You could He could She could It could   We could You could They could Could I? Could you? Could he? Could she? Could it?   Could we? Could you? Could they? I could not You could not He could not She could not It could not   We could not You could not They could not I couldn´t You couldn´t He couldn´t She couldn´t It couldn´t   We couldn´t You couldn´t They couldn´t   Now, the practical examples:   Affirmative: I could speak to your mother about the party tomorrow and maybe she lets you come with us We could go to the party with your car and we catch our friends at their houses Don´t trust that man, you don´t know him. He could be a thief and steal your stuffs   Interrogative: She needs to carry those pieces of luggage to her apartment. Could you help her, please? Could you please change the TV channel? This program is boring and I don´t want to watch it Could he come here to have dinner with us tomorrow? He is a great friend   Negative: Could not / Couldn´t They could not come here tonight because they were traveling I couldn´t help you because I was too busy doing my homework You couldn´t drive because you were wasted. Don´t drive after drinking   Practice Write a sentence for the modal + the verb given:   Affirmative   Could + approve ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + help ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + teach ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Interrogative   Could + drive ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + go ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + work ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Negative   Could + choose ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + read ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Could + wait ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Globalized English School English in English   2009 - 2010 Globalized English School  - All rights reserved