Different usages of Could

Category: English || Published on : 2020-07-29 11:47:13 || Author : TILS EDUCATION 1352

Different usage of could
In English, there are many auxiliary verbs or modal verbs that have more than one usage. In this article, we will talk about one such modal verb ‘COULD’.
Could is an auxiliary verb or a modal verb which is used to express past ability or possibilities or past accomplishment. It is used to make suggestion or sometime requests. It is also used as the past form of ‘can’. Could is used in conditional sentences at the place of can. Let’s learn its usages in detail: -
1. COULD for Modest Request
Modal verb could is used in this use to make modest request. Sentence can be framed with ‘can’ also, but ‘could’ brings the sense of modesty into words. That is why, at the time of making request could is preferable.
‘Please’ can be added to make the sentence more polite. Sentences of ‘could’ for making modest request will refer to near future or present. Let’s see some examples of ‘could’ as modest request: -
• Couldyou please shift your chair a bit?
• Could I borrow your dress for an hour?
• Couldn’t I come with you in party?

2. COULD for Past ability
Modal verb could is used in this use to express past ability or capability of something or someone. It is especially used for positive sentences where your ability is not momentary or one-time. If the ability is momentary or one-time then ‘could’ will be framed in negative sentence. Let’s see some example: -
• I could run for fifteen kilometres in my young age.
• He could teach for 12 hours in his twenties.
• I couldn’t lift that heavy box yesterday.
• He couldn’t run in race of 10 Km last week.

3. COULD for Past accomplishment
Modal verb could is used in this use to express past accomplishment of something or someone. Something you have accomplished in your past which once seemed difficult to you can be expressed through the use of ‘could’ It can be used in negative sentences for something which has not been accomplished. Let’s see some example: -
• He could learn this language because of his great teacher.
• I couldn’t save my brother’s life.
• They could complete the work before deadline because of his help.

4. COULD for Future aspiration
Modal verb ‘could’ is used in this use to aspire something for future. We just make future aspiration in this use of ‘could’. Let’s see some examples: -
• Don’t pressurize her for marriage, give her some freedom so that she could choose a right match for herself.
• Motivate him for life so he could feel excited about life.
• Give him a reason to stay here so he couldn’t go from here.

5. COULD in conditional sentences
Modal verb ‘could’ is used in this use to make conditional sentences. In conditional sentences, it works at the place of ‘can’ or past form of ‘can’. Sentence can be framed in negative and positive both forms. Let’s see some examples: -
• If I had more time, I could study harder.
• If he had brought books on time then he could have passed the exam.
• If she had more time to prepare, she couldn’t crack the entrance exam.

6. Could Have as past possibility
In this use of ‘could’ it comes along with have. This use is to express the possibility of past or past accomplishment. Third form of verb is used after ‘could have’ in the sentence. Sentence can be framed in negative and positive both forms. Let’s see some examples: -
• I could have lived my life properly in the presence of good values.
• You could have told me the truth earlier.
• He couldn’t have been the one who stole my book.

Here, in the above article we learnt different usages of ‘could’. Hopefully, now you would not have any confusions regarding this modal verb.